We live in a hurried world. The modern conveniences that are touted to "save time’" are keeping us busier than ever. We over-schedule, over-commit, and end each day exhausted and already focused on the demands of tomorrow.

Quite often, it is our relationships with God and our family that suffer the absence of our time and attention. Do you spend time each day praying, reading the Bible, journaling? Is family time devoted to spending time in communion with each other? Are we setting examples we hope our children will follow?

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry offers tangible suggestions for living an unhurried life. The book encourages us to spend more time focusing on love, joy, and peace, and less time in a frantic state of constant motion. If you are seeking a peace-filled life, listen up.

Show Notes:
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World 

by John Mark Comer 

Today’s episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the creative process or determined to turn their dreams into reality. We’re sitting down with Michelle Collins Anderson, author of The Flower Sisters, a captivating novel that’s been making waves since its release earlier this year.

In our conversation, Michelle opens up about the journey of turning a dream into reality—what it really takes to write this historical fiction novel, face rejection, and push through the challenges to see her dream come to life. 

We also explore the inspiration behind The Flower Sisters—the intricate storytelling, the characters, and the heart that went into making this book something special. Whether you’re a fan of Michelle’s work or someone who needs that extra push to pursue your dreams, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

Special Guest: Author Michelle Collins Anderson
Michelle Collins Anderson grew up in the Missouri Ozarks, a place and a way of life that have shaped her writing. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri and an MFA from Warren Wilson College. Her debut novel, The Flower Sisters, was an instant USA Today best-seller. Michelle’s short fiction has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and appeared in Nimrod International Journal, Literal Latté, Midwestern Gothic, Elder Mountain: A Journal of Ozarks Studies, bosque, Literary Mama and Storied Hills: An Anthology of Contemporary Ozark Fiction. She and her husband have three adult children and live in St. Louis with two sister cats and a border collie.

Follow Michelle at:
https://www.instagram.com/michelle_collins_anderson/

To purchase the book, go to: https://www.amazon.com/Flower-Sisters-Michelle-Collins-Anderson/dp/149674828X

We are excited to kick off season six of The Problem With Perfect with a very special episode featuring none other than the podcast's original cohost, Rachel Keller! Now a marketing expert and AI enthusiast, Rachel joins us as we dive deep into how AI is reshaping both our personal and professional lives. In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore everything from AI’s role in combating the loneliness epidemic to how it can give you a competitive edge at work. 

Whether you’re curious about AI or already embracing it, this episode is packed with insights that will challenge and inspire you.

Tune in and join us for an exciting start to season six and as always, thanks for listening.

Apologies are tricky. Even when we want to make amends, we can often make the situation worse by what we say (or don’t say), and how we say it. It takes humility and honesty to admit we are wrong and to apologize well. Although a simple, “I’m sorry” is better than not saying anything at all, there are better ways to acknowledge our mistakes.

Quite often, an apology is made without an explanation or recognition of the other person’s experience. Did they feel abandoned, less than, or disrespected? Did the apology make excuses for the behavior? Owning the mistake and accepting responsibility for the words, and actions (or lack thereof) takes a willingness to be vulnerable and sincere.

Today, we'll explore the power of a sincere apology, when it can heal relationships, build trust and make a real impact. Let's break free from apologizing for things that are beyond our control and learn the art of authentic apologies, empowering us to communicate with confidence and clarity.

Show Notes:
Saying I’m Sorry? Avoid this word at all costs. https://www.becomingminimalist.com/how-to-apologize.

For the prayer app Robin mentions, go to:
https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/

Today we’re tackling a topic that’s more urgent than ever: the rising tide of anxiety and depression among Gen Z. In a world where social media, smartphones, and video games dominate their lives, young people are grappling with an alarming increase in mental health issues, leading to profound questions about what it means to live a fulfilling life.

In this episode, we dive deep into Jonathan Haidt’s compelling book, The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. As we discuss the trade of what Haidt calls the play-based childhood for a phone-based childhood, we’ll uncover how the quest for the "perfect" life has become a double-edged sword—promising connection while often delivering isolation and fear.

Join us as we explore the profound impacts of digital culture, hear stories of resilience, and discuss practical ways we can support Gen Z in navigating these challenges. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply someone who cares about the future, this conversation is essential. Let’s unravel the complexities of today’s youth together and discover how we can help them reclaim their lives.

Learn more about the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036

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 Settings
• Tap Screen Time
• Select a category to set limits and restrictions  

Here are some of the categories you can use:

• App Limits: Set time limits for apps
• Downtime: Schedule time away from the screen
• Communication Limits: Set limits based on your contacts
• Always Allowed: Choose apps you want at all times
• Content & 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 Websites
• Choosing Add Website
• Entering the URL for any websites you want to limit
• Setting the amount of time you are allowed to use the selected websites 

You can also set a screen timeout by:

• Opening the Settings app
• Scrolling down and selecting the Display & Brightness option
• Scrolling down again and choosing Auto Lock 

Although most parents would like to think their tweens, teens, and adult-ish kids would not view or access pornographic material, the statistics tell us differently. And while none of us want to talk about it, many of our spouses are doing the same.

As school commences and our teens and young adults enjoy greater freedom than ever before, how can we encourage healthy, meaningful conversations about the dangers of pornography and its addictive consequences? And how can we have similar tough conversations with those adults closest to us? 

Please join us as Justin Garrett, a Christian pastor, discusses the increasing prevalence of pornography use by our young adults and how the Church can support families as they navigate this difficult issue.

Special Guest:

Justin Garrett: Lead Pastor at Athens Church, Kansas City, MO
Justin is a Columbia, MO native and worked at a church called The Crossing for 16 years. Justin and his wife, Jen, have three sons.
 
Justin attended Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, graduating in 2009 with a Master of Divinity. In 2021, the family launched Athens Church in Kansas City. 

To learn more about his church, go to https://www.athenskc.com/

Resources Justin recommends: 

https://www.covenanteyes.com/e-books/ - a wonderful collection of short and free ebooks, The Porn Circuit and Your Brain on Porn are very good. Their service is the one our whole family pays for with all devices.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/59baI34QD9A2fjLCipitDJ?si=iny9GCbFSU2s7SmWeUdRBw – A recent Preston Sprinkle podcast with an author and pastor on pornography.

https://fightthenewdrug.org/ - They are not religiously affiliated, I’ve heard people speak of them as genuine non-Christians who are just trying to educate and help people. 

The Death of Porn – an older and trusted pastor writing a book on the subject in a style of letters to the reader.

Surfing for God – a classic at getting beneath the symptom of porn consumption to understand what’s going on in the heart and desires.

School days are upon us. The backpacks have been purchased and stocked. Lunch boxes have been prepared and a new pair of shoes await by the door. Hopefully, we’ve done everything we can to ensure a successful start to the school year.

It can feel daunting to send our children out into the world without our guidance. We may have provided them with all the material tools, but what about instilling confidence and self-esteem? Can they handle feedback, correction, and consequences?

Research on parenting styles is extensive. Although there may not be a “perfect” parenting style, there are certainly styles that encourage and some that diminish. Please join us as we discuss various parenting styles - what works and what doesn’t.

Show Notes and References:

Parenting Teens with Love and Logic, Preparing Teens for Responsible Adulthood by Foster Cline, MD & Jim Fay

Parenting Styles: What Parenting Style is Right for You?

https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/parenting/what-parenting-style-is-right-for-you

Lawnmower Parents: What are They? www.WebMD

Lawnmower Parents: Definition

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/lawnmower-parent

Welcoming a new baby to the family is a precious experience. It can also be a time of uncertainty, questioning, sleep deprivation, and unexplained emotions. Our guests, Maddie and Kyle Wolf, join us today to share their experiences as first-time parents of Baby Luka (aka Robin’s granddaughter). 

What do new moms and dads need? Which is best, breastfeeding or bottle? How can family and friends help? Our guests are quick to point out that everyone’s experience, and baby, is different. Maddie wisely shared “Fed is best” regardless of whether parents choose bottles or breastfeeding. Kyle spoke of the importance of supporting your partner and sharing responsibilities. And they both agree that bringing food that can be eaten single-handedly (because that other hand is holding the baby😊) is their favorite. 

Our guests were also honest and forthcoming about a few of the challenges they’ve experienced, and how they overcame them. We learned a lot, and we hope you do too.

Join us for this delightful, yet honest peek into parenting an infant in 2024. 

Special Guests: Maddie and Kyle Wolf
Maddie and Kyle were married in 2022 after dating for several years. Maddie, a Nurse Practitioner, and Kyle, a CPA, live in Overland Park, KS, and are the proud parents of Luka. They join us today, not as experts in parenting, but as a couple learning to manage their daughter's needs, with their own and each other's needs as well. 

As a new school year approaches, children, teens, and young adults will encounter a plethora of choices and challenging decisions. With the widespread availability of cell phones and computers, accessing online content, including inappropriate material, is easier than ever. So, how can we protect our children of all ages from harmful materials that can affect their well-being and future relationships?

While an addiction to explicit content is not a medical diagnosis, many would cite the negative financial, relational, and self-esteem consequences that stem from an industry that often does not reflect healthy, consensual, and respectful interactions. Repeated exposure to unrealistic images and behaviors can negatively impact one's sense of normalcy now and in the future.

When children use home computers, parental control apps such as Bark or Aura can be installed on their devices to restrict access to inappropriate websites. However, tech-savvy individuals, even young ones, can sometimes bypass these controls, or accidently wander into pornographic sites. Additionally, there are numerous books and websites designed to address these concerns. Research suggests that the most effective approach involves frequent, honest, and direct conversations about the negative aspects of explicit content, and the anxiety, depression, and stress often associated with such an addiction.

Being a parent in 2024 is challenging; being a young person navigating issues that may conflict with their religious values, parental advice, and peer pressures is even harder. At the very least, let's offer our prayers and support to all involved. 

Resources:

Addictionhelp.com

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrOrs6lz21mjwUJPIFXNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNncTEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1719682213/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwww.addictionhelp.com%2f/RK=2/RS=QnCrf0.ApfONEMuTAtfnXzHCmSM.

Pornography Use Among Young Adults in the U.S.:

https://ballardbrief.byu.edu/issue-briefs/pornography-use-among-young-adults-in-the-united-states

New Report Reveals Truths About How Teens Engage with Pornography:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-report-reveals-truths-about-how-teens-engage-with-pornography-301717607.html.