It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and to lose touch with the reason for the season. Although the gift-giving possibilities are endless, the most cherished gift is often time spent with loved ones and friends. Memories last a lifetime; batteries wear out and Barbies go bald.In this episode, with Christmas approaching, we discuss alternatives that don't break the bank yet give the gift of togetherness. Reminisce, look at photo albums, invite your family to bak...

The holidays are often the perfect time to reflect and reminisce. When was the last time you thought about your childhood and the traditions your family celebrated? What about the memories you’ve made with your children and grandchildren? Although holidays can be stressful, they can also be the perfect time to draw near to each other with love and appreciation.As we travel through the passages of time, it’s not unusual to reflect on memories of when the holidays were met with joy and anticipa...

The holidays are meant to be a time of family and fellowship. When we remember the Reason for the Season, we may be motivated to pause, reflect, and cherish our time with family and friends. Or, we may feel anxious and exhausted. Both may be true. When you see a commercial reminding us the holidays are upon us, do you celebrate or cringe? The holidays are often a dichotomy of feelings. We love family time (or not), we enjoy finding the perfect gift for our loved ones (or not), and we che...

As we step into November, gratitude is at the heart of the season—but why does it matter so much? In this episode, we explore the science and significance of gratitude in transforming our mental health, relationships, and even our work lives. Join us as we dive into research-based insights, including how gratitude can reduce anxiety, boost resilience, and strengthen connections with those around us. We’ll also share practical, simple ways to foster gratitude daily, even during challengin...

The Bible tells us, “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings…” James 4:8. If there was ever a time when prayer and faith were needed, it’s now. For the 73% of Americans who are experiencing election anxiety and stress, prayer can offer a sense of control and empowerment. Most of all, prayer can bring peace to our lives and the world. We’ve heard that many churches are planning to open their doors on Nov. 5 to encourage prayer for ou...

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...

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 he...

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 curio...

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 disrespecte...

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 Epid...

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 productivit...

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 con...

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 pare...

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. Maddi...

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 negati...

"Who are the people in your neighborhood?"Those of a certain age will remember Mr. Rogers singing that ditty. Once upon a time, we celebrated with our neighbors, borrowed a cup of sugar from the folks next door, and probably worshiped with some of them every Sunday. Busy schedules, a desire for privacy, or the simple fact that decks on the back of the house have replaced sitting on the front porch, have significantly impacted how we interact with those who live nearby.In today’s world, althou...

Do you remember your first day of school? Regardless of one’s academic status, be it kindergarten, middle school, senior year, or a freshman moving into the dorms, the first day of school is a milestone moment. Quite often, more tears are shed by parents than pupils. There’s just something about witnessing your child embark on a journey independent of you that creates a little (or big) tug at the heart. As the first day of school quickly approaches, we turn to an expert educator fo...

Mistakes are made every day. Some require a simple, "I’m sorry." Others may result in lengthy conversations and a restructuring of the issue. And then there are mistakes that change a person’s life forever. Robin’s brother, Buddy, made that kind of mistake.Truth be told, we’ve all made mistakes. The hope with every error is that we learn from it and do not repeat it. It is not our job to judge, there are Courts and Commandments that render judgement. Maybe our role is to accept people for who...

“In order to love who you are, you cannot hate the experiences that shaped you.” Andrea DykstraOur guest is a man of faith, a proud Marine, a loving husband, and a devoted father, son, brother, and friend. At the tender age of 22, he was charged with a crime that shaped his life forever. For the next 13 years, he would be incarcerated, making restitution, addressing the alcohol addiction he had nurtured since he was 14 years old, and becoming a spirit-filled, faithful follower of...

We hear them on the daily: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Turn that frown upside down. Just stay positive. Those adages may be helpful for some of life’s challenges, but what happens when a devastating life event brings pain and suffering? How do we continue to find hope and strength in the face of unimaginable hardship?This month’s series includes Robin’s insight into one of life’s most difficult experiences. Insight into the criminal justice system, restitution, and forgiveness....

We live in troubled times. We are surrounded by demands, expectations, and frustrations. So often, the squeaky wheel gets the attention, not the gracious individual holding the door for us. Some might say we’ve become a culture of impatience, and many might agree.Impatience is easy to identify. We become irritable; we let anger and resentment surface; we may even articulate a few expletives just to further demonstrate our dissatisfaction. We’ve all seen impatience in action. Patience, on...

Imagine an inexpensive pastime that improves your mental and physical health and cognitive function. Welcome to the world of birdwatching.If you are a birdwatcher, you are in good company. Birdwatching is quicklybecoming a national pastime. According to the 2022 National Survey of Fishing,Hunting and Wildlife, 57% of the US population 16 and older reported wildlifewatching in 2022. Birdwatching ranks up there with 50% of US adults who followbaseball, and 41% of US adults who say football...

Dr, Merry Lin says that the cultural clarion call to be your authentic self isn’t inherently wrong. The methodology is. While the popular world will tell you to“live your truth” and “trust your gut,” she argues that neither strategy brings you intocontact with your essential, God-given identity.In this episode, Dr. Lin, author of Rebecoming: Coming Out of Hiding to Live as Your God-Given Essential Self (Baker Books, July 2024) discusses the hard-won, honesttruths of how we can live authentica...

Most of us agree that we can all use the wisdom of those who have gone before us. Whether it's a new career, a big life decision, or a transition to the "next" phase of life - some sage advice can go a long way. In this special episode, we surprise Tom May, Robin's husband and co-host for the episode, with words of wisdom from those who are seasoned veterans of grandfathering. On the precipice of becoming a grandparent, Tom unpacks the advice he's given and how he thinks it will he...