Imperfectly Honest

What if some of the things we think are simply “who we are” are actually habits we’ve built to keep ourselves comfortable? In this episode, Elizabeth and Kayla sit down to discuss Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan – a book about what happens when a self-described introvert with social anxiety decides to spend a year intentionally stepping outside her comfort zone. But this conversation isn’t really about becoming more extroverted. It’s about questioning the stories we tell ourselves about who we are – and whether those stories are actually serving us. Elizabeth and Kayla explore the difference between saying no because you genuinely need to honor your energy versus saying no because you’re afraid, uncomfortable, worried about disappointing someone, or simply stuck in a routine. They talk about people-pleasing, social anxiety, talking to strangers, and how routines and to-do lists can sometimes leave surprisingly little room for connection. They also share some personal stories – from Kayla pushing herself to participate in a live storytelling event to Elizabeth striking up a conversation with a stranger on a chairlift that ultimately led to a meaningful mentorship. At the heart of the conversation is a bigger question: How much of what we think is our personality is actually habit, fear, or avoidance? In this episode, Elizabeth and Kayla explore: The difference between introversion, social anxiety, and staying in your comfort zone How to tell whether you’re honoring your energy or avoiding discomfort Why talking to strangers and trying new experiences can lead to unexpected connection Moving beyond small talk to create deeper conversations How people-pleasing and fear of disappointing others influence when we say yes or no How to challenge the habits and stories that may be keeping you stuck How routines and busy schedules can get in the way of meaningful relationships The goal isn’t necessarily to become more social, more outgoing, or more extroverted. It’s simply to pause and get curious about why we’re saying yes – and why we’re saying no. Because sometimes the most interesting parts of life are waiting just beyond the edge of our usual routine. Show Notes: Pick up a copy of Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come by Jessica Pan. Follow Kayla’s “outgoing introvert” journey on YouTube (@DishAndTellWithKayla) and Substack (@kaylagorski). In addition to Jessica Pan’s book, consider reading The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier Stronger Relationship, by Nate and Kaley Klemp. Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com. Episode Timestamps: 00:00 — Are you an introvert, or is it habit, fear, or avoidance? 02:04 — Sorry I’m Late, I Didn’t Want to Come and the experiment behind the book 05:04 — Introvert vs. extrovert: it’s more nuanced than two categories 09:05 — Social anxiety and worrying about how we’re perceived 11:54 — Social plans, people-pleasing, and fear of disappointi... Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction to the Episode and Book(00:02:06) - Meet Elizabeth and the Book's Premise(00:05:10) - Defining Introvert vs Extrovert(00:08:24) - Exploring Social Anxiety(00:11:56) - People Pleasing and Fear of Disappointing Others(00:13:50) - Personal Growth Stories: Pushing Through Discomfort(00:16:58) - Talking to Strangers: Patterns and Awareness(00:20:30) - Routine, Connection, and the Blur of Life(00:23:24) - The Chairlift Story: Talking to Strangers in Action(00:28:15) - Boundaries, Responsibility, and Saying No(00:32:22) - Tips for Deepening Conversations(00:36:56) - Final Reflections and Takeaways

What would you tell your 13-year-old self about your body? What do you tell young girls in your life today about body image? In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Blair Haseman, 501(c)(3) founder of Girls Thrive, for a deeply personal conversation about body image, self-esteem, confidence, and the messages girls begin absorbing about their bodies at a surprisingly young age. For many of us, the answer might be less about how we looked and more about everything we wish we’d known: that our bodies don’t define us, that comparison isn’t a measure of our worth, and that we could have spent a lot less time worrying about how we looked – and a lot more time simply being kids. Blair shares her own experience struggling with body acceptance beginning in elementary school, and how those experiences ultimately shaped the work she now does to help girls develop a healthier relationship with their bodies. Together, Elizabeth and Blair explore the pressures girls face as they grow up, the impact of teasing and comparison, and why our focus on what women’s bodies look like can overshadow what they are actually capable of doing. The conversation also turns inward as Elizabeth reflects on what she would tell her own 13-year-old self – including lessons about food, fitness, failure, comparison, aging, and learning to accept that our bodies aren’t supposed to look the same. At the heart of the conversation is a simple but powerful idea: your body is an instrument, not an ornament. In this episode, Elizabeth and Blair explore: Why body image struggles can begin as early as elementary school How teasing, comparison, and cultural expectations shape girls’ self-esteem How to shift the focus from what our bodies look like to what they can do The complicated relationship between food, fitness, and body image What Elizabeth and Blair would tell their younger selves Learning to embrace failure, imperfection, and change Why our bodies don’t have to look the same – even when we put in the same effort Why women shouldn’t feel the need to hide their strengths or make themselves smaller Maybe the real question isn’t just what we would tell our younger selves, but what we’re teaching the girls growing up around us. And perhaps it’s never too late to start giving ourselves some of the same grace, perspective, and encouragement. About Blair Haseman: Blair Haseman is the 501(c)(3) founder of Girls Thrive, a nonprofit organization based in Helena, Montana, focused on empowering girls through physical activity and education, with an emphasis on positive body image, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Her own experiences with body image struggles inspired her to make this work part of her life’s mission. Episode Timestamps 00:00 — What would you tell your 13-year-old self? 02:07 — Elizabeth introduces Blair and the conversation around body image 03:18 — Blair’s story and the mission behind Girls Thrive 06:00 — Confidence, the “Girl Box,” and learning to feel worthy 09:15 — When body image struggles begin: teasing, puberty, and comparison 11:00 — Focusing on what your body can do instead of how it looks 13:19 — Beauty, health, “pretty privilege,” and why every body looks different 15:37 — Blair’s eating disorder, hospitalization, and experience as a competitive runner 21:42 — Le... Chapters (00:00:00) - Introduction to the episode and topic(00:02:06) - Meeting Blair Haysman and Girls Thrive(00:04:36) - Girls Thrive's mission and confidence statistics(00:05:34) - Old photos and the 'girl box'(00:09:04) - Early body consciousness and teasing(00:11:38) - Body image, beauty, and health philosophy(00:15:43) - Blair's eating disorder and hospitalization(00:19:00) - Quitting the cross country team over body fat demands(00:23:29) - Everyone struggles with body image in some form(00:26:30) - Best advice for teenagers and body as instrument(00:27:48) - Good intentions gone wrong: the scale story(00:30:57) - Being the change you want to inspire(00:31:47) - Confidence clinic and limiting others' dreams(00:35:58) - Following the 'safe' path vs true passions(00:38:02) - Career, motherhood, and partnership choices(00:40:08) - Everything is figureoutable(00:42:42) - Advice to our 13 year old selves(00:45:51) - Junk miles and knowing when to stop(00:46:56) - Being a full package and letting yourself shine(00:48:24) - How to find Girls Thrive and closing thoughts(00:51:12) - Final reflections on crying and strength(00:51:48) - Podcast disclaimer

What if finding the right relationship isn’t about finding someone who checks every box, but about being open enough to recognize the right person when they show up? In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with friend Al Musser for a candid conversation about finding love after divorce, dating later in life, and building a healthy, fulfilling relationship. After divorce, it can be tempting to approach dating with a checklist of qualities, expectations, and deal-breakers. But what happens when the person who turns out to be right for you doesn’t look anything like the person you imagined? Elizabeth and Al explore the unexpected ways relationships develop, why some of the best connections can’t be planned, and how learning to let go of control can create space for love to find you. They talk about recognizing when a relationship feels different, paying attention to compatibility beyond a checklist, and becoming open to possibilities that might not make sense on paper. In this episode, they explore: Finding love after divorce and navigating dating later in life How to recognize a healthy relationship and meaningful compatibility Why the right partner may not check every box The difference between forcing a relationship and allowing one to develop organically How to know when a relationship feels easy, natural, and right Letting go of expectations about what your ideal partner “should” look like Why being open to unexpected possibilities can lead to lasting love How relationships can challenge us to grow and become better versions of ourselves The importance of maintaining your own identity, friendships, and interests within a relationship Whether you’re dating after divorce, looking for love later in life, navigating a new relationship, or simply curious about what makes a partnership work, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder: sometimes the person we’re looking for doesn’t come in the box we expected. And maybe that’s exactly the point. Show Notes: As Elizabeth mentioned in this episode, she’s come up with 57 qualities she’d like to find in a partner, but has realized that she only needs seven. Elizabeth also committed to living in discomfort after her divorce in order to realize the true value of moving out of her comfort zone. Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com. Chapters (00:00:00) - Finding Love After Divorce in Part 3(00:01:52) - Al Musser on His Search for a Partner(00:03:55) - How Much Time Should You Wait To Start Dating?(00:10:49) - How to Get Out of a Relationship(00:16:15) - How Many People Do You Need to Date?(00:18:12) - You're Working Too Hard For Love(00:21:13) - The Need to Cut Off The Boxes(00:22:57) - How to Get Out of a Relationship(00:23:56) - How to Get Out There With Guys(00:26:56) - What I Wish I Knew About My Marriage(00:33:12) - 7 of the Things I Want From My Partner(00:35:41) - Al Sharpton on Accepting People For Who They Are(00:41:39) - Why I Should Leave My Marriage(00:49:50) - The Importance of Don't Care About Relationships(00:53:29) - Alissa on Love Letter

What if one of the hardest seasons of your life became one of your greatest teachers? In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with longtime friend, mentor, and entrepreneur Jimmy Calano for an honest conversation about navigating cancer, recovering from serious health challenges, and the unexpected perspective that can emerge when we’re forced to confront our own mortality. But this isn’t a conversation about death—it’s about how these experiences inspired them to live well. After facing acute leukemia and other health crises, Jimmy shares the mindset shifts that helped him navigate fear, uncertainty, and recovery. Elizabeth reflects on her own experience recovering from chronic pain and a tumor that curved her spine—and how those challenges transformed her relationships, priorities, and understanding of what it means to truly live. Together, they explore: How a cancer diagnosis can reshape your perspective on life Why listening to your body could save your life The emotional impact of serious illness and recovery Finding gratitude and resilience during difficult seasons How adversity can reveal unexpected opportunities for growth Navigating uncertainty, fear, and the loss of control Why healing isn’t always about returning to who you were The importance of advocating for your health and trusting your instincts Whether you’re navigating a health challenge, supporting someone you love through illness, or simply looking for a reminder to slow down and appreciate what matters most, this conversation offers hope, perspective, and the comforting reminder that even our hardest seasons can shape us for the better. Show Notes: Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com. Chapters (00:00:00) - Imperfectly Honest: Cancer and the Real World(00:01:47) - Jimmy Colano(00:04:36) - Jimmy on His Cancer Diagnosis(00:07:46) - Cancer of the Leukemia(00:09:58) - Leukemia Diagnosis: Is It Better to Know or Not to(00:16:22) - How to Deal With Cancer(00:21:43) - What Got Me Through My Leukemia Battle(00:24:50) - In the Elevator With Chronic Illness(00:26:31) - How to Respect Medical Restrictions During Tough Times(00:31:27) - Talking About Meds(00:33:12) - Having a Health Crisis on the Fourth of July(00:40:51) - Jimmy Buffet on His Death(00:42:21) - bye, bye, Jimmy

How do you know when to keep pushing... and when it’s time to let go? In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with friend and fellow truth-seeker Kayla Gorski to explore what it really means to trust yourself. Together, they reflect on perfectionism, burnout, intuition, synchronicity, and the courage to loosen our grip on life’s carefully crafted plans. Through stories of career transitions, unexpected opportunities, solo adventures in nature, and the quiet signs that often appear when we finally slow down, Elizabeth and Kayla examine how self-trust isn’t about having certainty – it’s about trusting you’ve already done the work and believing you’ll be okay no matter what unfolds. This episode is an invitation to trade control for curiosity and discover the freedom that comes from trusting your own inner wisdom. Together, they explore: How to trust yourself when life doesn’t go according to plan The difference between intuition, fear, and overthinking Letting go of perfectionism and the need to control outcomes Recognizing synchronicities and signs that you’re in alignment Why burnout can be an invitation to pause instead of push How silence, nature, and solitude help us reconnect with ourselves Why success doesn’t always require struggle Whether you’re navigating a career transition, recovering from burnout, searching for clarity, or simply wondering if you’re on the right path, this conversation offers a refreshing reminder that sometimes the greatest act of courage is trusting that you already have everything you need. As Elizabeth points out, “We are animals... and oftentimes we know what to do. We just need to trust that we know.” Show Notes: Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com. Chapters (00:00:00) - In the Elevator: Trust Yourself(00:01:25) - In the Elevator With Kayla Gorski(00:04:04) - Elizabeth on Being in Flow(00:07:32) - When to Stop Burning Out?(00:09:16) - Signs That You Are In Flow(00:18:35) - How to Know When to Push and When to Accept?(00:26:24) - I Spent the Fourth of July Alone in the Woods