What happens when life doesn’t just take a turn, but turns completely upside down, more than once? In this powerful episode of The Problem With Perfect, we continue our Life Reimagined series with a story that will move you, challenge you, and leave you deeply inspired.

Julie Barth is a writer, mother of six, trauma survivor, and founder of the Collin James Barth Outreach—a nonprofit devoted to supporting women-led households in times of crisis. In our conversation, Julie shares her incredible journey, as chronicled in her memoir Notes from a Blackberry. From raising a child with special needs and losing her first husband to cancer, to surviving an abusive second marriage, Julie’s story is one of heartbreak, healing, and hope.

If you’ve ever needed a reminder that you are not alone in your pain or that it’s possible to rebuild your life after unimaginable loss, this episode is for you. Listen in and be reminded: sometimes the most imperfect paths lead us to the most purposeful places.

Special Guest: Julie Barth

Julie is a mother of six and a trauma survivor whose mission is to transform personal hardship into advocacy. Her journey began when her second child, a daughter named Tayt, was born with Primordial Dwarfism, leading to years of medical challenges. During this time, Julie's young husband died from pancreatic cancer. The following decade of suffering included Tayt's cancer diagnosis and emotional and financial abuse in her second marriage.

Julie is also the CEO and founder of the Colin James Barth Outreach, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women-led households during times of crisis. The Colin James Barth Outreach is supported by the Gabby Petito Foundation.

To purchase Julie's book, go to https://www.amazon.com/Notes-BlackBerry-Julie-Barth/dp/B0CY6DMP5W

To learn more about Julie, go to https://www.juliebarthauthor.net/

To view/purchase Tayt's art and support the Colin James Barth Outreach, go to https://hope4tayt.com/

In this inspiring episode of The Problem With Perfect, we sit down with Angie Murdock, whose story of resilience and reinvention leaves us both challenged and encouraged.

First, Angie reimagined her life as a newly divorced mom raising a young daughter. Then, years later, she did it again—packing up her life in small-town South Georgia and heading to Boston in pursuit of a dream that wouldn’t let go.

Whether you’re facing a fresh start, navigating unexpected transitions, or just wondering if it’s too late to chase something new, Angie’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to let God rewrite your story.

Tune in for real talk about courage, change, and what it means to reimagine life on your own terms.

Special Guest: Angie Murdock

Angie is from Albany, Ga, but now happily resides in Boston, Ma. After prioritizing her daughter's upbringing, Angie decided in her 50s that it wasn't too late to chase her own dreams.  Led by a desire to help others grow professionally, Angie took a leap and transitioned from sales to sales training and hasn't looked back since. 

We've all heard the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." While those encouraging words can provide hope and inspiration, one crucial aspect often goes unaddressed: the "how."

What does it take to start over? How does someone completely restructure their home, family, and career to achieve their goals? And what about those nagging doubts—Am I good enough? What if I fail? Is there a secret recipe for success?

While nothing is impossible, planning, organizing, and determination help. Please join us as our guest, Kate Randolph, shares her process for dreaming big and making her dreams come true. 

Show Notes: 

Special Guest: Kate Randolph is a mom, wife and registered nurse with more than two decades of nursing and health care administration. Recently, Kate decided to leave health care and pursue her dream of attending law school and becoming an attorney.

Have you ever taken a leap of faith? What would happen if you listened to your heart, followed your passion, and pursued the career you’ve always dreamt of? Or maybe you used to love what you did for a living, but you recognize it’s time for a change.

The decision to make a midlife career change can be daunting. The security of what’s known and comfortable may be a deterrent to risking it all for a new adventure. A career change will bring myriad challenges. Are new skills needed? Does the change require an advanced degree or another degree? Will my family support my dream? What are the financial consequences?

Our series Life Reimagined features answers to many of these questions. The women we will be interviewing in the next few weeks have faced those questions and obstacles and are now creating the fulfilling, purpose-filled lives they dreamed of. Please join us as they share their inspirational stories.

Show Notes:

Brave New Beginnings: Midlife Woman’s Guide to Fearless Career Change

www.feminineleadership.com

Making a Midlife Career Change?

www.ramseysolutions.com

Thinking About a Midlife Career Change as a Woman? Here’s How To Transition www.affinitpsych.com

73% of Women Considering a Career Change
Midlife Woman’s Guide to Fearless Career Change  Source: bravefeminineleadership.com

Caregiving Responsibilities and Retirement Gap
 The Women’s Retirement Savings Gap
 Source: investopedia.com

Midlife Stress: Parenting, Menopause, and Work
 Midlife Collision: Parenting Stress and Menopause
 Source: thesun.co.uk

Positive Outcomes After Career Change
 It’s Never Too Late: Changing Careers at Midlife
 Source: psychologytoday.com

Lack of Career Advice in Midlife
 Generation ‘Stuck’ in a Midlife Career Rut
 Source: thephoenixgroup.com

Gender Differences in Career Change Rates
 Career Change Statistics Study
 Source: brainmanager.io

Post-Pandemic Career Shifts in Women: 61% of Women Planning Major Career Change Post-Pandemic
 Source: forbes.com

In this episode of The Problem With Perfect, we dig into the soulful, restorative power of gardening with Master Gardener Donna Puleo. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting, Donna shares wisdom on how tending to plants can also help tend to your heart and mind. We explore the physical and mental health benefits of gardening, the joy of getting your hands in the dirt, and the simple magic of watching things grow. Donna also offers practical tips to enhance your gardening experience and explains how gardening with children can be a beautiful way to connect generations and foster wonder.

So grab your gloves—or just your curiosity—and join us for a conversation that will inspire you to grow something good, inside and out.

Special Guest: Donna Puleo

Master Gardner Donna Puleo has an impressive resume, including 33 years at the University of Missouri. In 2017, she retired as the Director of University Events. Since then, Donna has continued to be active on various Boards, including the Mizzou Botanic Garden, the Heart of Missouri Master Gardeners, and the Columbia Garden Club. She volunteers much of her time with the Children’s Garden on campus. Most recently, Donna was awarded the MU Staff Retiree award.

To reach the horticulture line discussed, call 573-445-9792.

The typical patient/doctor experience is changing as younger generations demand holistic, convenient, and personalized care. To address these expectations, a new medical model is sweeping the nation that includes ample appointment availability, lengthier patient/physician visits, and enhanced continuity of care. In many ways, this model of care is a return to the days of personalized medicine rather than typical medical management as we know it today.

Dr. Nicole Dorotik joins us today to acquaint us with the concept of direct primary care. This medical model provides care to all ages, independent of insurance carriers, Medicare, and Medicaid. Direct primary care is a patient-centered model prioritizing personalized care, accessibility, and affordability. Unlike traditional healthcare systems, Dr. Dorotik’s practice does not rely on insurance reimbursement. Instead, she and her team establish a direct relationship with their patients, offering comprehensive primary care services for a flat monthly fee. Dr. Dorotik’s goal is to ensure that each patient feels comfortable, heard, and empowered - the perfect prescription for patient satisfaction. 

Show Notes:

Dr. Dorotik, earned her medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine and completed her residency at Long Beach Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, California. She is board certified in Family Medicine and has over 20 years of clinical experience. Driven by a passion for providing comprehensive care, Dr. Dorotik is dedicated to staying up to date with the latest medical advancements, and patients can trust her expertise and compassionate approach to healthcare. When she’s not working, Dr. Dorotik loves all things outdoors, hiking, biking, and skiing with her three kiddos.

To find a direct primary care physician in your area, go to: https://mapper.dpcfrontier.com/

To learn more about Dr. Dorotik's practice, visit her website at: https://arvadadpc.com/

To vote for our podcast for Best Local Podcast in the 2025 Best of Columbia, go to:https://best-of-columbia-2025-voting--inside_columbia_magazine.contest.vote/local-favorites/best-local-podcast

Will the doctor see you now? Maybe not amid the changing health care landscape in the US: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/06/27/primary-care-doctor-shortages-on-the-rise-in-the-us-as-wait-times-grow/70352744007/#.   

How Gen Z are reshaping the healthcare industry

https://www.weforum.org/stories/2023/09/how-gen-z-are-reshaping-the-healthcare-industry/.

When you think of a luxury, is it a new car, a trip to Paris, or a cruise around the world that comes to mind? What if true luxury could be found right at home? Time, good health, and people who love us are all priceless luxuries. Likewise, no amount of money can buy a good night’s sleep or a meaningful conversation with people we love. 

Today’s episode explores life's real luxuries and offers suggestions for becoming the wealthiest person you know. Much like blessings, these luxuries are often overlooked and undervalued until life interrupts our hurry and scurry. Join us for this discussion, basking in the glow of the real luxuries of life that don't cost a dime. 

There comes a time in most of our lives when thoughts of finances, inheritance, and trusts or wills are in the forefront of ourlives. It is the hope of each generation that we leave behind the resources our children and grandchildren will use to live a better life – that’s what’s known as generational wealth.

A recent article entitled, Radically Reframing Aging, discusses the concept of generational health – the lifestyle and examples we set for future generations who are always watching.

Midlife and beyond is not meant to be a time to become a couch potato. Longevity and healthy living are within our power to maximize. Please join us as we discuss the habits women (and men) can foster to live lives of purpose and prosperity. As the saying goes, health is wealth.

Show Notes:

https://www.mariashriversundaypaper.com/dr-vonda-wright-longevity-habits-youre-not-thinking-about/

January is known for New Year’s Resolutions and Quitter’s Day (the 2nd Friday in January). Often we start with the best intentions only to lose our motivation and determination 14 days later. It’s a tradition as old as time.

What if we postponed our goal-setting until spring? The weather is nicer, we are uplifted by the renewing nature of springtime, and sunshine and warm weather abound. Our mind, body, and spirit have survived the doldrums of winter and we’re ready to start anew.

As we all know too well, setting goals and achieving goals are two different things. In today’s episode, we will explore tried and true strategies for setting realistic goals using the SMART acronym as our guiding principles. After all, a goal without a plan is just a daydream.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/everyday-resilience/202303/spring-is-the-time-to-keep-new-resolutions?amp

My Main Goal Right Now www.Wisegoals.com.

Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton

https://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/psysociety/the-psychology-of-giving-thanks/

Our bodies are constantly evolving, yet embracing those changes can feel like a lifelong struggle. Whether you’re navigating the whirlwind of postpartum recovery, or facing the shifts that come with aging, body image is something most of us wrestle with at some point in our lives. In this episode, we’re having a raw and honest conversation about what it means to appreciate our bodies at every stage of life.

Joining me (Robin) are two incredible women with unique perspectives. First is my daughter Maddie Wolf, a nurse practitioner who specializes in eating disorders. As a new mom, Maddie shares how she’s  learned to truly appreciate her body. Also back for this episode is Rachel Keller, former co-host of the show and newlywed who helps unpack the struggle of body positivity in the digital age.

Together, we open up about societal pressures, personal insecurities, and what we’ve learned (or are still learning) about self-acceptance.