The Problem With Perfect

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. 

As faithful followers, you know we love journaling - all kinds of journaling. Journaling is an opportunity to pour out your heart and soul without worrying about Sr. Mary Punctuation grading your spelling or sentence structure. Journaling is also meant to be a time for self-reflection and creativity. You can journal about anything, anyone, or what you’re grateful for. There really is no wrong or right way to journal. 

Recently, we learned of a new type of journaling called expressive writing. By definition, it is a therapeutic tool to help identify the emotions we experience as a result of a traumatic event or experience. The good news is you don’t need to see a therapist or obtain a prescription for this treatment. Time, consistency, and insight are all that are needed to be successful. 

As you’ve heard us say time and time again, thoughts disentangle themselves when they pass through our fingers. Join us for this episode and learn how expressive writing is yet another resource to help untangle our emotions.

Show notes:

How Expressive Writing Works

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychiatry-a-history/202011/how-expressive-writing-works

Expressive Writing Can Help Your Mental Health

https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/expressive-writing

Expressive Writing

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/write-yourself-well/201208/expressive-writing

Have you ever felt like traditional medicine isn’t giving you the answers you need? Struggling with fatigue, hormone imbalances, or gut issues and told “everything looks normal”? You’re not alone—and there is another way.

In this episode of The Problem With Perfect, we sit down with Dr. Michael Schmidt, a functional medicine practitioner who believes in getting to the root cause of health issues instead of just treating symptoms. We break down how functional medicine works, why testing for vitamin, mineral, and hormone levels is so important, and how this approach can work alongside traditional medicine

Plus, Dr. Schmidt shares three simple changes you can make today to start feeling better. If you’re ready to take control of your health in a new way, this episode is a must-listen!

Show Notes: Special Guest Dr. Michael Schmidt

Dr. Michael Schmidt, DC, DACNB grew up on a farm in Centralia, Mo., playing baseball, football, and wrestling. He received a scholarship to wrestle at the University of Missouri in Columbia after graduating high school. After four years at the university, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences. He then attended Logan University in St. Louis receiving his Doctorate of Chiropractic in August of 2017.

Dr. Schmidt received post-graduate training in Vestibular Rehabilitation, Childhood Developmental Disorders, Functional Medicine, and Functional Neurology. He has been honored with receiving diplomate status from the American Chiropractic Neurology Board. He shares a passion with many of his colleagues in the practice of Functional Neurology and looks to spread awareness of its ability to assist in helping traditional chiropractic patients with neurological conditions using a brain-based approach.

Resources: 

Expressive Writing Resource

https://www.thedocjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/DOC-Expressive-Writing.pdf

The Energy Balance Podcast

Hey, friends! If you have been around here for a while, you know that we love our Kansas City Chiefs. So, when I (Robin) had the opportunity to attend the Super Bowl this year, I was beyond excited. But what I didn't expect was to walk away with more than just memories, I left with some powerful life lessons that go far beyond football.

Yes, the game was a disaster (trust me, I felt every painful moment of it). But as I sat there in the stadium, surrounded by thousands of fans, I realized that the highs and lows of that night reflected so much of what we all experience in life.

In today's episode, I'm sharing five lessons I learned from the Super Bowl that apply to all of us, whether you are a die-hard football fan or someone who doesn't know a first down from a field goal. From handling disappointment to showing up when it matters most, these insights will encourage and challenge you in ways you might not expect.

So, grab a cup of coffee (or maybe some tissues, if you're a Chiefs fan like me), and let's talk about what this game taught me about life, resilience, and what truly matters.

Pickleball is sweeping the nation. Players of all ages and abilities are joining the ranks of approximately 36.5 million pickleball players in the U.S. What about pickleball is so engaging?  Is it the community, competition, exercise, or just plain fun?

Although we may think of pickleball as being great for physical fitness, there are numerous psychological benefits including stress reduction, improved cognitive function, social connection, increased self-esteem and confidence, relief from anxiety and depression, and enhanced focus and mindfulness. 

Please join us as our very own Robin May and friends share their foray into pickleball and why they find it both exhilarating and challenging. 

Show notes:

www.7Pickleball.com.

www.thedinkpickleball.com.

www.pb5star.com.

It’s that time of year! The cold weather, the snow, the inability to go outside to walk the dog or enjoy nature, the darkness that prevails morning and night, tax season, the election; it seems everything contributes to an ongoing sense of gloom and doom.

While it's common to feel temporarily "blue," it’s important to recognize when those feelings escalate into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or clinical depression. For many, the winter months can be particularly challenging for mental health. Although we often hear the term "SAD," what are the actual diagnostic symptoms, and what effective remedies exist for managing this malady?

Today’s episode will take a deep dive into the mental health diagnosis of Seasonal Affective Disorder and explore the strategies that can help manage this condition. Our goal is to provide information that benefits not only those experiencing SAD, but also their friends and family who wish to offer support.

Show Notes:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder.

https://www.psychiatry.org/Patients-Families/Seasonal-Affective-Disorder.

Https://Palousemindfulness.com.