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.

Where would we be without our girlfriends? These extraordinary women bring light and love into our lives. They support us unconditionally and stand by us during difficult times. Indeed, they are among life’s greatest gifts.

Female friendships are invaluable blessings. However, did you know that our girlfriends also provide psychological and emotional benefits? Join us for this conversation as we unpack how our girlfriend's presence in our lives enhances our health and longevity. Additionally, we find that there are both social and professional advantages to these friendships. It is no exaggeration to say that our girlfriends are a vital lifeline for maximizing our well-being in every aspect of life.

Show Notes:
Resources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-health-benefits-of-strong-relationships

https://facts.net/society-and-social-sciences/40-facts-about-the-importance-of-female-friendships

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-is-state-mind/201808/the-importance-female-friendships-among-women

Aging gracefully is an art- as our emotional, physical, and nutritional needs change significantly.

Social media tells us we need products and procedures to remain vibrant and youthful. Today's guest, Ruthie Massman, is a fitness trainer and wellness coach who takes a more holistic approach, “I think it’s worth reframing how we think about aging. Aging doesn’t mean you’re losing your power – it means you’re gaining a chance to own it in a new way.”

Hormonal shifts, metabolism changes, and weight redistribution are challenges women typically experience over time. The diet and exercise we’ve followed for years no longer produce the same results, and the scale is no longer our friend. We may look in the mirror and wonder who is that person. The good news is there are things we can do to reclaim our bodies.

Join us as Ruthie discusses the nutritional essentials of protein, collagen, and creatine. Did you know the recommended daily protein intake is 1g per 1lb of ideal body weight? Who knew cottage cheese was the new superfood? She also discusses the role of resistance training in preserving muscle mass, improving bone density, and maintaining functional strength. Her holistic approach to aging, including journaling and meditation, reminds us of our ability to maximize our wellness potential, mind, body, and soul. Who couldn’t use a little more of that?

Special Guest: Ruthie Massman, a 20-year fitness coach who has developed an app that helps women reframe aging, exercise, and diet. Follow her on Instagram @RuthieMassman.

Many of us hoped the new year would bring a renewed passion and enthusiasm for our work. Maybe it did, and maybe it didn’t. Maybe some of us are still looking for inspiration to keep trusting that we’re on the right path. Tracy Smith’s story might be just what we need.

When God called Tracy Smith, the owner of Long Row Lavender, to step out in faith, she answered. in doing so, Tracy and her family went from growing lavender and selling it on five days at a local farmer’s market to a multi-faceted, complex business that has grown and prospered over the past 17 years.

With love and commitment to family, faith, and community, Tracy shares her “business model” of following her heart and dismissing doubts and fears, “while treating others as she would want to be treated.” What started as a way to encourage her family to spend time together outdoors, the company has grown to include a 15-acre lavender farm, a gift shop offering hand-made bath and body products, seasonal clothing, home decorations, and a café featuring delicious sandwiches and desserts.

Tracy’s story is one of inspiration, and the thousands of annual visitors to her farm obviously agree. We hope you will too.

Special Guest: Tracy Smith, owner of Long Row Lavender in Wright City, MO. Check out their website at https://longrowlavender.com/

Show Notes:

As we step into a new year, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the highs and lows of 2024, sharing the lessons learned and how our guiding word shaped our journey. In this special episode, we’ll look back at how well we lived out our word for 2024, then turn our focus to the fresh start that 2025 offers.

Join us as we reveal our new words for the year, explore why they resonates with us, and discuss how they are shaping our hopes and intentions moving forward. This isn’t just about setting resolutions—it’s about embracing a word that can serve as a compass, guiding our decisions and helping us navigate life’s complexities with intention and clarity.

But this episode isn’t just about us—it’s about you, too. We’ll invite you to consider choosing your own word for the year, a word that can inspire and anchor you throughout 2025. So, whether you’re looking for inspiration, reflection, or simply a way to start the year on a meaningful note, this conversation is for you. Tune in, and let’s journey into 2025 with purpose, together!

Show notes:

The Bible Recap Study Guide by Tara-Leigh Cobble

Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools by Tyler Staton

As 2024 ends, we are excited to bring you a truly inspiring story. Today’s guest, Lisa Kent, has embarked on a year-long journey, sharing a daily post of gratitude every single day in 2024. Each day, she shares a couple of sentences and a photo to show what she’s thankful for, and it’s all shared publicly on social media. We’ll dive into what inspired her to start this journey, why she chose to make it public, and what unexpected lessons and blessings she’s discovered along the way.

To know Lisa is to love her, which is why her journey of gratitude will inspire us all to notice more, appreciate more, and perhaps even express our own gratitude in new ways.

Special Guest:

Lisa Kent is a transplant to Columbia, though she’s made her home there for the past 18 years. Originally hailing from Arizona, she moved to the Midwest in 1995 to marry her husband, Steve Kent. Lisa is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher and holds certifications in several Les Mills programs as well as in personal training. In her previous career, before moving to Missouri, she was a music therapist serving psychiatric populations. She continues to bring her love of music and her passion for fitness together to motivate and inspire.

Lisa is also a writer and enjoys reflecting on the sacred in the ordinary of everyday life. She’s been published in the Columbia Tribute, COMO Living magazine, and the Huffington Post. Her most recent project is a memoir-in-progress.

In this must-listen episode of The Problem With Perfect, we’re joined by Dr. Stephanie Womack, a seasoned obstetric gynecologist with 25 years of experience, to demystify the options available for managing menopause symptoms.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is often at the center of the conversation about menopause, but how do you know if it’s right for you? What are the risks, and are there alternatives? Dr. Wommack breaks it all down, offering expert insights into the benefits and potential drawbacks of HRT, as well as other remedies that can help women navigate this natural but often challenging stage of life.

Tune in to learn:

•What hormone replacement therapy is and who can benefit from it.

•The risks associated with HRT and how to weigh your options.

•Alternative remedies for managing symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep issues.

•Practical advice for approaching menopause with confidence and clarity.

Whether you’re living through menopause, preparing for it, or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with valuable information you don’t want to miss!

Special Guest: Dr. Stephanie Womack
Dr. Womack is an OB/Gynecologist with more than 25 years of experience. She graduated from the University of Missouri Medical School and then went to the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas for residency. Afterward, Dr. Womack returned to Columbia and launched her private practice. In addition to being a busy physician, she is also the mother of four children and an avid tennis player.

Menopause is a universal female experience, yet it remains one of the least discussed and most misunderstood phases of life. In this episode of The Problem With Perfect, we take a deep dive into why menopause has been ignored by medical research and society, leaving countless women unprepared and unsupported.

We’ll explore the common—and not so common—symptoms that women face and discuss the cultural and systemic reasons behind the silence. Whether you’re experiencing menopause, preparing for it, or want to better understand the challenges faced by the women in your life, this episode is for you

It’s time to break the silence, challenge the stigma, and start the conversations that women everywhere deserve.

Tune in to discover:

•Why menopause research and awareness are so limited.

•The range of symptoms women endure, from hot flashes to emotional changes.

•How we can begin to advocate for more open conversations and better resources.

Listen now and join the movement to ensure menopause is no longer a mystery.

Special Guest: Dr. Stephanie Womack
Dr. Womack is an OB/Gynecologist with more than 25 years of experience. She graduated from the University of Missouri Medical School and then went to the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas for residency. Afterward, Dr. Womack returned to Columbia and launched her private practice. In addition to being a busy physician, she is also the mother of four children and an avid tennis player.