What happens when a world-class macromolecular scientist—who engineered innovations for NASA and the US Army—reaches the breaking point of burnout? You don’t just heal; you decode the biology of joy.

In this powerhouse episode of Never Perfect, Dr. Beth sits down with Dr. Mamta Bhatt, a scientist and executive consultant for J&J and Nike turned holistic wellness pioneer. After spending 20 years in a monastery, Dr. Bhatt synthesized her rigorous scientific background with ancient wisdom to create a revolutionary healing protocol to get herself well after years of being bedridden. Now she helps clients globally.

From reversing 25-year insomnia to resolving chronic metabolic issues in just months, her results speak for themselves.

If you have ever felt that your worth is tied to your "doing," or that rest is something you must "earn," this conversation is your biological "permission slip" to stop.

Together, we explore:

Dr. Mamta Bhatt is a best-selling author, a 10-time featured guest on CBS and NBC, and a keynote speaker at the 2026 World Biohacking Event this November.

Read her Books:

Work with Dr. Bhatt: Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/thejoyfulscientist?igsh=MXE1d2FsNGk1d3hvYQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

💛 We need your help! This podcast is funded by Dr. Beth, and we are looking for donations from listeners and potential sponsors. If you’re interested in contributing, you can send donations via Venmo (⁠https://account.venmo.com/u/NeverPerfectPodcast⁠) or email ⁠[email protected]⁠ to find out other ways to donate.

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What is “wellness,” really—and how do we know who’s credible in a world full of modalities, certifications, and strong opinions? 

In this episode, Dr. Beth sits down with Lawrence Ellyard, founder of the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT) and the International Institute for Reiki Training, to explore what complementary care is (and isn’t), why healing doesn’t have to be medicine versus natural therapy, and how ethical standards help protect both practitioners and the people seeking care.

Together, they dive into how environment, relationships, habits, mindset, and intention all play a role in healing. Lawrence introduces the ORABED framework, a powerful way to understand the difference between living with ownership, responsibility, and accountability versus falling into blame, excuses, and denial. The conversation weaves practical wisdom with humility, humor, and real-life examples—reminding us that growth isn’t about being perfect, but about showing up with courage and clarity.

What You’ll Learn

What “complementary” and holistic therapy actually mean—and what they don’t

Why wellness works best when medicine and natural therapies work together

How accreditation and ethical standards protect both clients and practitioners

The ORABED framework and how mindset shapes empowerment or victimhood

Why environment, relationships, and daily habits matter as much as treatments

How intention, accountability, and community support real behavior change

Why growth requires patience, humility, and a beginner’s mind—not perfection

How to be intentional about what you consume—physically, mentally, and emotionally

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What if we used money like a mirror in order to discover what your spending, saving, or your avoidance of financial matters reveals? What if the way you handle money isn’t about discipline or intelligence—but about what you learned growing up? 

In this episode of Never Perfect, Dr. Beth sits down with Doug Lynam, TEDx speaker, author, former Marine, Benedictine monk, and now money manager. He's been featured in The New York Times, CNBC, Entrepreneur, and The Street. He's guided clients from Main Street to Hollywood and worked with businesses and faith communities across the county.

Doug is the author of two books: From Monk to Money Manager: A Former Monk's Financial Guide To Becoming a Little Bit Wealthy—And Why That's Okay and Taming Your Money Monster: 9 Paths To Money Mastery With The Enneagram.

Doug’s unlikely journey took him from Marine → Benedictine monk (for 20 years) → money manager and financial coach. Along the way, Doug discovered that money is rarely just about numbers. It’s about attachment, fear, shame, control, and the stories we carry from childhood.

Today, Beth and Doug explore how our early experiences shape an anxious or avoidant relationship with money, why some people obsessively control finances while others avoid looking at them altogether, and what it means to develop a healthy attachment to money instead. Doug shares how he uses the Enneagram and attachment theory to help people identify their “money monsters” and align their financial habits with their deepest values.

They also touch on ADHD, people-pleasing, rejection sensitivity, spiritual bypassing, and the way unhealed money trauma gets passed from one generation to the next—unless we choose to face it.

This is a conversation about making peace with money, letting go of shame, and learning to use money as a tool for love, service, and freedom—without needing to be perfect.

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What do you do when life tells you there’s no future left to plan for?

In this powerful episode of Never Perfect, Dr. Beth sits down with Sean Swarner, a two-time terminal cancer survivor who was once given just days to live—and went on to redefine what’s possible. With one lung, Sean became the first cancer survivor to climb Mt Everest and the only person in history to climb the highest mountain on every continent and ski to both the North and South Poles.

There’s a reason Sean was voted one of the 8 most inspiring people of all time; he is a living testament to resilience. Given 14 days to live, he emerged as the first cancer survivor atop Everest, scaling all seven continents' peaks, skiing to both Poles, and completing the Hawaii Ironman World Championship. Beyond milestones, he founded The Cancer Climber Association, wrote "BECOMING UNSTOPABLE: Conquering Your Everest" and is a sought-after speaker. From crawling in a hospital to Everest's summit, Sean's journey inspires globally. Join him in defying odds and sharing his powerful message worldwide.

Today Sean shares how shifting his focus from not dying to fully living changed everything. He also explains his distinction between “true summits” and “false summits”. Together, he and Dr. Beth explore resilience, identity, mental health, and the courage it takes to keep choosing life—especially when the odds say you shouldn’t.

This episode explores:

Turning impossible diagnoses into purpose-driven living

Why failure is information, not identity

Mental health, fear, and meeting life one minute at a time

How redefining “possible” can transform everything

💛 We need your help! This podcast is funded by Dr. Beth, and we are looking for donations from listeners and potential sponsors. If you’re interested in contributing, you can send donations via Venmo (⁠https://account.venmo.com/u/NeverPerfectPodcast⁠) or email ⁠[email protected]⁠ to find out other ways to donate.

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Why does college feel so much harder than you expected it to be?

This episode is about the struggles associated with adjusting to college, but many of the themes are universal and apply to other life stages and transitions as well. 

Some of the biggest challenges in life involve managing expectations and dealing with disappointment. These challenges often come into play when you’re navigating unknowns and big milestones such as going to college, developing new relationships, getting a new job, and more.

College can be one of the biggest transitions of your life—new routines, new expectations, new environments, new friendships… and often a lot of grief under the surface. Many college students may be grieving their high school experience, missing old friends and family, and feeling overwhelmed by a new environment. Depression, anxiety, and loneliness are very common, especially during the first semester. However, some people do great at first, and difficult emotions may appear later as the novelty wears off and reality sets in.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear the story of one student who almost transferred near the end of her first semester of college. So for those of you struggling in college—or with any phase of life—please remember: YOU ARE NOT ALONE ❤️

Tessa is currently a junior in college, but she had a very difficult first semester and was seriously talking about transferring when things started to turn around. She shares how her first semester didn’t match what she expected, how it impacted her confidence, and why she felt like something must be wrong with her when it seemed like everyone else was having more fun.

Dr. Beth and Tessa talk about how long it can take to build real friendships, how to handle uncomfortable social situations and loneliness, and why giving yourself time (often a full year) can make a huge difference. As you’ll find out in this episode, struggling doesn’t mean you made the wrong choice—it often means you’re right in the middle of adjusting.

This episode is for anyone who feels behind, left out, or overwhelmed by the pressure to “love college immediately.” Never lose faith that things can get better and that you have so much to offer others and the world. Also remember: things are often not the way they appear on social media. Social media is full of false impressions and false advertising, and most people don’t post their lonely or anxious moments on Instagram.

Some of the best advice from today’s episode: open up, share your struggles with others, reach out, and invite people to do things. It can change their lives—and it can change yours. When you start sharing, you often find that you’re not alone, and others feel less alone too.

Life is very hard and incredibly beautiful at the same time. Share your unique and beautiful self with the world. You will find your people and your place—so never give up. 🙏

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In this solo episode, Dr. Beth dives into a topic that touches every relationship we have—navigating differences, competing needs, and the tension between togetherness and independence. From dating to long-term marriage, friendships to family life, differences are inevitable—but how we think about them can make all the difference.

Using real client conversations, personal reflections, and everyday examples, Dr. Beth explores questions we often avoid but desperately need to ask: How much do you expect your partner to fulfill you? How much independence do you need to feel like yourself? What happens when the traits you once loved start to frustrate you?

This episode covers:

Competing needs and agendas in relationships

Togetherness vs. individuality (and why there’s no “right” formula for achieving this)

Why expecting one person to meet all your needs can backfire

How honeymoon phases shift into real life—and what to do next

Practical questions to help couples prepare for inevitable differences

This is a realistic, compassionate conversation meant to spark reflection—not perfection. Whether you’re dating, married, or simply trying to understand yourself better in relationships, this episode offers food for thought, cognitive shifts to help with processing and accepting divergent needs and agendas , and tips for communicating about these struggles.

💛 We need your help! This podcast is funded by Dr. Beth, and we are looking for donations from listeners and potential sponsors. If you’re interested in contributing, you can send donations via Venmo (⁠https://account.venmo.com/u/NeverPerfectPodcast⁠) or email ⁠[email protected]⁠ to find out other ways to donate.

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In this episode, Dr. Beth tackles a topic she’s deeply passionate about—but has taken time to approach thoughtfully: conflict avoidance and peacemaking. While peacemakers often value kindness, harmony, and sensitivity, avoiding hard conversations can quietly erode relationships over time.

Using real client stories, personal insight, and research from experts like Drs. John and Julie Gottman, Beth explores why holding things in often leads to resentment, emotional shutdown, or explosive anger—and how “being nice” can actually be a disservice to both yourself and the people you love.

This episode covers:

What it really means to be a peacemaker or conflict avoider

How internalizing/“ under-reacting” can lead to  overreacting/exploding 

Why honesty is often more loving than keeping the peace

How avoiding conflict impacts respect, intimacy, and connection

Practical ways to speak up without being aggressive

Why clarity, boundaries, and assertiveness strengthen relationships

If you tend to put your needs last, fear uncomfortable conversations, or pride yourself on being “easygoing,” this episode is a compassionate but challenging invitation to find your voice, advocate for yourself, and build healthier, more honest relationships.

💛 We need your help! This podcast is funded by Dr. Beth, and we are looking for donations from listeners and potential sponsors. If you’re interested in contributing, you can send donations via Venmo (⁠https://account.venmo.com/u/NeverPerfectPodcast⁠) or email ⁠[email protected]⁠ to find out other ways to donate.

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Today Dr. Beth sits down again with relationship expert Dr. Carol Stoney to explore one of the most common phrases couples use to describe their relationship: “We’re just not compatible.” Instead of couples seeing their differences as signs of failure, they unpack what actually lies beneath that thought—discouragement, unmet connection, and the skills we never learned but desperately need in relationships. Together they dive into:

Why compatibility isn’t about agreeing on everything

What happens when life stress wears down the “insulation” of congratulation

Practical habits that rebuild connection (eye contact, reassurance, warm touch)

How to tell disappointment from rejection

The real math of healthy relationships (positive interactions vs. negative ones)

If you’ve ever wondered whether differences mean you chose the wrong person—or whether love should feel easier—this episode offers a grounded, hopeful reframing and actionable insights for loving through incompatibilities.

Listen, reflect, and grow together.

💛 We need your help! This podcast is funded by Dr. Beth, and we are looking for donations from listeners and potential sponsors. If you’re interested in contributing, you can send donations via Venmo (⁠https://account.venmo.com/u/NeverPerfectPodcast⁠) or email ⁠[email protected]⁠ to find out other ways to donate.

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Why is it so hard to start the things we know we need to do?

In this quick, solo, and spontaneous episode, Dr. Beth shares practical ADHD-friendly strategies to break through procrastination without shaming yourself or waiting for perfect motivation. Using real-life examples from her own school days and a recent session with a late-twenties client, she talks about why big-picture thinkers with ADHD struggle to break tasks into small steps, how perfectionism fuels putting things off, and why “all-or-nothing” workouts and work plans backfire.

You’ll hear simple and helpful strategies such as:

Creating fake deadlines and using accountability

Setting 10-minute timers to make getting started easier

Embracing Brené Brown’s “shitty first draft” instead of expecting the first draft to be nearly perfect

Pairing boring tasks with something enjoyable

Picking the right setting to get into a productive zone

💛 We need your help! This podcast is funded by Dr. Beth, and we are looking for donations from listeners and potential sponsors. If you’re interested in contributing, you can send donations via Venmo (⁠https://account.venmo.com/u/NeverPerfectPodcast⁠) or email ⁠[email protected]⁠ to find out other ways to donate.

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In this episode, Dr. Beth sits down with her friends Amanda (a business owner) and Stephanie (a therapist) to tackle a tough, real-world question: How do you talk about a diagnosis with someone who doesn’t want one—especially when daily weed, anger outbursts, or past substance use are in the mix? Through the story of a 30-something creative with possible bipolar disorder, they unpack self-medication (the classic “upper, downer, mood-stabilizer” pattern), why partners and employers draw hard lines (“it’s legal” ≠ “it’s okay at work”), and how shame keeps talented people from becoming their best selves.

You’ll hear practical, compassionate ways to:

Frame diagnosis as information, not identity

Explain the bipolar spectrum (including agitated/hypomanic presentations)

Explore roots vs. band-aids: trauma, lifestyle, and biology

Talk with spouses about the real costs of daily use and rage cycles

Use simple next steps (e.g., the MDQ screen, treatment options, boundaries)

Honest, stigma-cutting, and immediately useful—for therapists, leaders managing teams, partners who are worried, and anyone wondering whether a label might actually unlock a path forward.

Note: This conversation is educational and not medical advice. If you have concerns about mood or substance use, please consult a licensed professional.

💛 We need your help! This podcast is funded by Dr. Beth, and we are looking for donations from listeners and potential sponsors. If you’re interested in contributing, you can send donations via Venmo (⁠https://account.venmo.com/u/NeverPerfectPodcast⁠) or email ⁠[email protected]⁠ to find out other ways to donate.

🎧 Listen to this episode and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠neverperfect.org⁠
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