Imperfectly Honest

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with her friend Heather Grahame to talk about caring for others – while caring for yourself. Setting boundaries and giving without giving too much of oneself is an imperfectly honest art to master. The rewards of caretaking can be immense, but they are not always immediate or obvious, and the juice isn’t always worth the squeeze. If you're currently caring for someone, have done so in the past, or suspect that someday you may find yourself in that role, then this episode is for you. It's not about doing it perfectly; it's about learning how to be honest with the person you're taking care of and with yourself. Connect with Elizabeth’s Imperfectly Honest perspective at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

In this episode, Elizabeth and Kayla share a conversation that is as winding as an Italian road trip! Back from a wine tour in Italy, Kayla shares her reflections, imperfectly honest moments, and sweet intention for the year ahead. As you listen, ask yourself what you’d like to invite more of in 2026—is there room for you to slow down and savor more of life’s pleasures?  Show Notes: “La dolce vita” is an Italian phrase that translates as “the sweet life” and refers to living fully in the moment, slowing down to savor life’s pleasures rather than rushing or letting stress rule.  Learn more about the wine importer Kayla referenced at https://tanarowineimports.com/.  Connect with Elizabeth’s Imperfectly Honest perspective at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Seth Levine, co-author of the new book Capital Evolution: The New American Economy. Seth explains how and why the American economy is changing and what the future could look like. Given the major realignment America is in, visible in our divided politics, fractured media, reshaped labor markets, and more, Seth shares his belief that businesses hold most of the power—and some responsibility—to shape the future. This thought-provoking episode, and book, is for anyone who buys things—which is EVERYONE. Show Notes: You can order your copy of Capital Evolution at TheCapitalEvolution.com. And, in the spirit of dynamic capitalism and the holidays, consider ordering one for a friend, local school, or library through Seth and his co-author Elizabeth MacBride’s Worthy Books program. For my listeners who prefer to shop local, check out Seth’s wife’s independent book store, Composition Shop, in Longmont, Colorado. Connect with Elizabeth’s Imperfectly Honest perspective at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

In this episode, Kayla sits in for Elizabeth and connects with Dr. Andrea Wick about boundaries: physical, emotional, and energetic. As a chiropractor, applied kinesiologist, and energy worker, Dr. Wick shares tips on how to set and maintain healthy boundaries, particularly as we head into the holiday season. Show Notes To learn more about Dr. Wick or schedule an appointment, please visit www.drandreawick.com, or follow her on Instagram @dr.andreawick. While the workshop mentioned in the episode has passed by the time of airing, Dr. Wick will host a virtual Energetic Boundaries course in 2026!  Learn more about To Be Magnetic, the neural manifestation practice Kayla referenced, at www.tobemagnetic.com.   Consider reading Boundary Boss by Terri Cole to go deeper.   Connect with Elizabeth’s Imperfectly Honest perspective at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Lizzie Peyton, Director of Big Sky SNO (Sustainability Network Organization), to talk about wildfire preparedness, living with wildfire risk, and what it means to be an imperfect advocate for climate change. If you or someone you love lives in an area prone to wildfires or natural disasters, this conversation offers practical steps for preparing your home, creating a safety plan, and reducing anxiety around fire season. Even if wildfire season feels far away, it’s never too early to understand your risks and build confidence through preparation.  Elizabeth and Lizzie also speak candidly about the emotional side of climate change––how to show up, take meaningful action, and make lifestyle choices that align with your values, without needing to be perfect. This is a grounded, compassionate conversation for anyone wanting to care for the planet while also caring for themselves. Show Notes: The Big Sky Sustainability Network Organization, or “SNO,” is making its mountain town more sustainable by focusing on waste reduction, resource protection, energy management, transportation solutions, sustainable education, tourism, and more.  To learn more about Lizzie, get involved with Big Sky SNO, or discover resources to use in your own community, visit https://www.bigskysno.org/ or reach out directly at hello@bigskysno.org. Connect with Elizabeth’s Imperfectly Honest perspective at www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

Elizabeth and her friend, Kayla Gorski, talk about their mutual choice to opt out of motherhood. They have both learned a lot from making this unconventional choice and thought that others might benefit from what they've learned along their journey.

As we move into Autumn, changes are happening at Imperfectly Honest. In Sheila’s final episode as co-host, she and Elizabeth share thoughts on past highlights, current mixed emotions, and future plans.

Elizabeth has been addressing some systemic health issues and has learned a great deal in the process. In this short and sweet episode, she shares what she wishes someone had shared with her when her issues began two decades ago. Her advice applies to anyone trying to connect the dots with their own health issues, and is especially relevant to those dealing with digestive-, hormone-, or thyroid-related symptoms. Show Notes: The Adrenal Transformation Protocol by Isabella Wentz. The audio version is pretty good. For a teaser, you can listen to this podcast episode. Fiber Fueled Cookbook by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz. This book is packed with information about the microbiome and provides gut friendly recipes.This podcast episode gives an overview of what the author, Will Bulsiewicz, is up to. Nicole DeBoom’s hormone series on her Run This World podcast. Check out episodes 214-216. Will Cole’s The Art of Being Well. This podcast episode on how chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and emotional health affect our health is especially helpful.

Elizabeth and her friend Jenni Graff have had many long conversations about what they are looking for in a romantic partner. In this episode, they turn the tables to think more deeply about what they can bring to a relationship. It’s a window into what it might be like to date either of them, and a model for both self-assessment and delivering kindly candid feedback to good friends.

A Conversation with Brad Feld – Author, Venture Capitalist, and Mental Health Advocate Elizabeth and Sheila invite Brad Feld to join them in a candid conversation about destigmatizing mental health. Brad Feld – entrepreneur, author, venture capitalist, and a co-founder of Foundry Group and Techstars, has been very public about his struggles with OCD and depression and is a longtime mental health advocate. In this episode, Elizabeth and Sheila get his take on if, when, and how to reveal one’s mental health story. In the spirit of Brad’s new book, Give First: The Power of Mentorship, Elizabeth shares some of the lessons she’s learned from her decade-long relationship with Brad as a mentor and investor. She asks him to open up about a cause that Sheila, Elizabeth, and Brad care deeply about – mental health.  In this episode, we explore: (01:16)    Introducing Brad Feld – entrepreneur, author, venture capitalist, and a co-founder of Foundry Group and Techstars (07:58)    Brad Feld discusses his personal experiences with OCD (10:25)    The insidiousness of the link between obsessive and compulsive thoughts and behavior (16:21)    When, if, and how to reveal your mental health story (20:04)    Digging into the root causes vs. just moving dirt around (25:25)    Dealing with the shame associated with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges (29:30)    The importance of self-awareness and therapy: Spend some time on “Planet Yourself” (33:07)    Elizabeth’s experiences with a close friend and mental health issues (36:30)    Brad’s philanthropic efforts in Boulder, CO (40:20)    Destigmatizing mental health issues (45:30)    What is the line between supporting and enabling? (50:57)    Supporting others by just being present for them (53:08)    Brad’s new book is Give First: The Power of Mentorship. If you like the book, make some music about it! (55:14)    Closing thoughts

Elizabeth and Sheila explore the tension between living fully in the present and planning for an uncertain future, particularly involving where we may live in the future and who we care about. Together, they ponder whether leaning into experiences that will inevitably end is brave, foolish, or simply human. In this episode, we explore: (1:15)   Greetings and content intro (4:08)   Putting down roots in a community when your future there is uncertain (7:17)   The challenges of making new friends as an adult (12:16) Joy today vs sorrow tomorrow (13:33) Is anyone's future really a certainty? (14:22) Exploring the dynamics of finite relationships (16:50) Accepting to live in relationship limbo (19:27) Staying connected after a move or at the end of a relationship (21:55) Going with the flow vs. steering your life (24:05) Final thoughts Connect with Imperfectly Honest via www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

Elizabeth is currently in a relationship that can best be described as “emotional non-monogamy.” She and her partner have agreed not to be physically intimate with anyone else. Yet, they are staying open to the possibility that their relationship may not last and that others may be better suited to be their long-term partners. Sheila and Elizabeth dig into the ups and downs of open relationships. Elizabeth shares how she’s tackling her jealousy and her tendency to compare herself to other women, as well as the unexpected benefits and life lessons that have arisen from her “situationship.” Sheila shares her Imperfectly Honest thoughts on the potential pitfalls of Elizabeth’s relationship and provides a perspective from a different angle. In this episode, we explore: (1:45)   Emotional non-monogamy vs. Physical non-monogamy (5:12)   Navigating jealousy and hurt (9:23)   When do you disclose your non-monogamous status with dates? (12:13) Can this non-monogamy relationship be a learning tool? (13:22) Coping with “learning” vs. “hurting” in an open relationship. (14:45) The value of finding out what you DON’T want. And what you DO. (18:48) Questions to ask yourself when you’re dating more than one person. (21:24) Final thoughts about best lessons from the non-monogamous experience. Connect with Imperfectly Honest via www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

Personal Development and Momentum Coach, Matt Suess, joins Elizabeth and Sheila to discuss how soon and how much personal information should be shared with new acquaintances - romantic, platonic, and professional. In this age of social media and googling, it's challenging to assume the same "air of mystery" as we may have been allowed in the past. Failing to reveal one's true self could be perceived as inauthentic, but sharing too much - and too soon - might also stifle a relationship that might need a little space and time to flourish. Show Notes Matt Suess has been a professional photographer and entrepreneur for 35 years, currently as a world travel photographer & educator. Following a failed long-term relationship that ended two years ago, Matt set out on a journey of self discovery & improvement to finally tackle lifelong struggles of shame and avoidance. Reinvention has become his rhythm which has now led to a strong desire to help others get unstuck following his years of personal experience. This year he embarked on a new path as a Personal Development & Momentum Coach, and this summer, he is co-launching a dating podcast Red Flag or Green Flag, Spilling the Tea with Matt & Kelli. Matt is currently based in Bozeman, Montana. Elizabeth's TechStars podcast interview, The Perfect Storm. In this episode, we explore: (1:09)   Intro to episode participants and description of content (4:09)   Matt, Elizabeth and Sheila provide a macro view of communication styles (8:25)   Under-sharing vs. oversharing? (11:54)  What about revealing secrets that may not be permanent? (14:40)  Enhancing the conversation by going deep (19:52)  Handling preconceptions from your online and social media info (21:40)  The benefits of attracting what you put out there (24:33)  Final thoughts about gauging your audience and providing context

Elizabeth's Imperfectly Honest blog in April, "Why I Don't Apologize for Unanswered Emails" hit a nerve with her longtime mentor and investor, Jimmy Calano. He joins today's episode for a lively conversation, sharing his own email response time "Rule of 24", and mixing it up with Elizabeth and Sheila on where he stands on email apologies and other content. Episode Notes Jimmy Calano is the former founder/CEO of a global training company and, more recently, co-facilitator of the 935 member Boulder Investment Group. Resources for Crafting Emails: "How to Write a Cold Email" by Elizabeth Yin "The Perfect Email" by David Cohen In this episode, we explore: (1:17)    Intro to episode participants and description of the “Divide” (4:51)   Jimmy and Elizabeth elaborate on their reasoning and judgements re: email responsiveness (10:14)  How being email responsive helped forge Jimmy and Elizabeth’s business relationship (12:59)  The downsides of ignoring emails (15:57)  Individual personalities and quality of life desires may impact on email communication styles (22:50)  Should we or shouldn't we apologize for email response time delays? (27:15)  How to craft emails to enhance response time (31:10)  In closing...

How you make financial decisions in both romantic and business relationships can have a big impact. Elizabeth and Sheila look to their personal experiences, and what others choose, to lay out some different approaches to calculating the role of money in the relationship equation. Show Notes:  Giggly Squad Podcast  https://gigglysquad.com/ Connect with Imperfectly Honest via www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

There can be a fine line between being helpful and being taken advantage of. Elizabeth and Sheila go through the questions they ask themselves when trying to figure out that difference, especially when they aren’t sure if they’re stepping up or being stepped on.

I think we all know the quote about a certain road which is paved with good intentions. Elizabeth and Sheila review the intentions they each set for 2025, realizing that, although these respective "quarterly reports" had some hits and some misses, a lot was learned in the process! Connect with Imperfectly Honest via www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

Rethinking past life choices can summon up both painful challenges and joyful successes. Elizabeth and Sheila take that backward look in time, and agree that those mountains climbed in the process may have helped to shape them into who they were meant to be. Show Notes 2013 movie "About Time". Connect with Imperfectly Honest via www.imperfectlyhonest.com.

It can often be a true growth opportunity to try new things that attract us but are also challenging and move us outside our comfort zone. Sheila and Elizabeth discuss their recent forays into online dating. They agree that it’s essential to listen to your inner voice -- and gut feelings -- to (in the words of "The Gambler") "know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, and know when to run." Links mentioned: Elizabeth's article Committing to Discomfort to Achieve Growth Connect with Imperfectly Honest via www.imperfectlyhonest.com

What if we made more of an effort to view criticism from others like a two way mirror? We can see how their words reflect something about us and reflect something about them as well. Elizabeth and Sheila discuss an Oscar Wilde quote: “Criticism is the only reliable form of autobiography,” to explore dynamics of criticism, weaving in personal experiences for extra color!