Wreck Your Perfection
By Rachelle LaNae
Wreck Your PerfectionJan 03, 2020
How To Show Up When You're Scared
Welcome to another solo episode of WYP! Today is all about showing up in those tough moments when you're feeling not good enough, but you want the courage to take that step. In this episode you'll hear 6 things that will help you show up and move through your fear!
If you're interested in life coaching, click here to sign up for a FREE 1-hour consult with me
To send me a message (about anything! I'd love to hear from you), email me at rachelle@wreckyourperfection.com or DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae.
Follow my Youtube channel if you want to see the music video when it comes out!
Until next week, be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
How Your Perfectionism is Holding You Back
In today's solo episode, I talk about how to determine whether you're a perfectionist, why shame is at the root of perfectionism, and how we can begin to take small steps to expand our comfort zone and ultimately live with more joy, purpose, fulfillment, and connection.
Some resources I mention in the episode:
Any of Brene Brown's books (I recommend starting with 'The Gifts of Imperfection')
Carol Dweck's Ted Talk on Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
Head here if you'd like to book a free consult with me if you're interested in how life coaching can help you wreck your perfection. Email me at rachelle@wreckyourperfection.com, or DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae - I want to hear from you on what you're struggling with, what your wins are, and how I can best be here for you and support you. Until next week, be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
Building Identity and Emotional Resilience with Patricia Grgurovic
Today's episode of WYP is with Patricia Grgurovic. Patricia moved to MN from the Philippines at the age of 7. She has worked as a high school counselor, a day treatment psychotherapist, an equity specialist, and a systemic family therapist. She is also a national SEED project leader and is passionate about educational equity. In this interview the biggest part of our conversation is about building emotional resilience and why so many kids and adults are losing our resiliency. Patricia also shares about digging deep into her own identity as a Philippino-American, why it’s important to learn about your ancestry whether you are BIPOC or you are white, and how we can learn to listen to each other and walk through grief together.
Some resources mentioned in the episode:
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Chimamanda's Ted Talk (this wasn't mentioned but it is AMAZING)
If you are working on wrecking your own perfection, and want to learn more about coaching with me, you can set up a free hour-long consult at wreckyourperfection.com. And if you want more daily content, follow me on instagram @rachelle.lanae. Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection!
Dating After Divorce with Brigitta Smith and Mike Diaz
On today's episode, I have the privilege of interviewing my sister, Brigitta Smith, and her boyfriend, Mike Diaz. They are two of my FAVORITE human beings, and it's such an honor to hear from them about what it was like to meet and begin dating after divorce. We also talk about being an interracial couple, dealing with mental heath, and staying present with each other.
If you like the podcast, please leave a review and share it with a friend! If you have any feedback for me on the show, or any suggestions, I'd love to hear from you via email at rachelle@wreckyourperfection.com. Follow me on instagram @rachelle.lanae for more daily content, and I'll see you back here for next Friday's episode! Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
My Journey With Perfectionism
Welcome to Season 3 of WYP! On today's episode, I share my story about how perfectionism has impacted me from childhood until now, how I realized I was a perfectionist and what that turning point looked like, and how I have learned to wreck my own perfectionism one baby step at a time by consistently doing things that scare the living SHIT out of me. Recording this episode included! As always, I want to hear from you on what you're struggling with and in what ways you need support so that I can show up for you in the best way possible. DM me @rachelle.lanae or @wreckyourperfection, or email me at rachelle@wreckyourperfection.com. I'd also love to hear your wins and find out how you're wrecking your perfection! If you want to hear more songs like the one at the end of the episode, you can check out my EP 'Taking Back Me' on Spotify/Apple Music.
Some of my favorite resources that have helped me in my perfectionism recovery:
Anything by Brene Brown (she has more but these are the ones I've read, some of them multiple times): The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Dare To Lead, and I Thought It Was Just Me. Also her Ted Talk on The Power of Vulnerability.
Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way. This one is awesome if you're looking to get more creativity into your life.
Mindset by Carol Dweck. Consistently working to change from a fixed mindset into a growth mindset in all areas of life is, I believe, the work that us perfectionists have to do. Perfectionism and fixed mindset go hand-in-hand.
Life Coaching. I was introduced to life coaching at a pivotal time a few years back, and it helped me transform in so many areas. I am now addicted to getting coaching because it's brought me to do things I never thought possible. There are tons of amazing life coaches out there, and I encourage you to find one who's a good fit for you. If you want to work with someone who can help you wreck your perfection, I'm also available as a certified professional coach. You can book a free consultation on my website.
THERAPY. This is the big one, folks. If you have trauma of any kind, it's never too late to seek out help. As a perfectionist, it honestly took me until this year to even realize that I have anxiety, and that's a big part of how my perfectionism plays out. If therapy is not an option for you due to affordability, Open Path offers discounted rates ($30-60/hr).
See you next week! Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
Embracing Imperfection in Politics with Charly Haversat
On today's episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I have the privilege of interviewing Charly Haversat. Charly is a beautiful soul that I found because I came across her Ted Talk on Perfectionism. She has a wide breadth of experience, from working in finance for huge companies to her background as a pro athlete turned yoga instructor, and even running for public office. Charly is such a delight to speak with, and she shares about what it means to have good enough policy, how we can band together with our communities to create social change, and really what can happen personally and in our world if we drop our idea of perfect and exchange it for better. And we talk about trees. Which is pretty great because I love trees, and I mean who doesn’t?!
If you want to reach out to Charly, her email is charlyhaversat@gmail.com
Click to learn more about nuns against guns, The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, or to watch Charly's Ted Talk
If you have feedback, a story about how you’re wrecking your perfection, or you just want to say hi, you can email me at rachelle@wreckyourperfection.com, or slide into my DM’s on instagram at rachelle.lanae. Also, if you’re an artist who’s feeling blocked, or you don’t consider yourself creative but you’ve always wanted to be, I’d love to be your creativity coach! I am a certified professional coach, and I’m offering an introductory rate until December 1st. Head over to wreckyourperfection.com or email me to learn more!
The Rise of Socially Prescribed Perfectionism with Dr. Thomas Curran
Hi, and welcome to Wreck Your Perfection! I’m your host, Rachelle LaNae. Today we have an amazing guest that I feel so fortunate to get to introduce. His name is Dr. Thomas Curran, and he is the Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His primary area of expertise is the personality characteristic of perfectionism, how it develops, and how it impacts mental health. He is the author of over 30 published papers and book chapters, and has received numerous awards for his scholarship and research.
You’re going to hear about why social factors are so important when it comes to perfectionism, where this idea of perfection even comes from, and how we’re impacted by our capitalist overlords.
Dr. Thomas Curran's Ted Talk
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck
The Neurotic Personality of Our Time by Karen Horney
If you'd like to learn more about how to wreck your OWN perfection through life coaching, check out www.wreckyourperfection.com.
Developing Champions in Life with Miss Val
On this week’s episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I have the honor of speaking with Coach Valorie Kondos Field, also known as Miss Val. She is the Former Head Coach of the UCLA Women’s Gymnastics team, and despite never having done gymnastics in her life, she led her team to 7 NCAA Team Championships, was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, and was voted PAC 12 Coach of the Century. In this interview you’re going to hear real talk about how she transformed herself from a dictating leader into a curious and supportive coach, how she created an atmosphere of encouragement and trust, and what it means to redefine success and create champions in life.
More from Miss Val (trust me, you're going to want it!)
Head over to her website to find out more: https://officialmissval.com/
Buy a mask from Miss Val's website - 100% of proceeds are donated to support survivors of sex trafficking
Order her book, 'Life is Short, Don't Wait to Dance'
Watch Miss Val's Ted Talk
If you want to wreck your own perfection, turn your self-doubt into self-compassion, and step into your courage to live a life that's authentically you, I'd love to work with you as your coach! Head on over to https://wreckyourperfection.com/ (the website is under construction but you can contact me there!)
I'd love to have your feedback on the show! Email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com or DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae
Leaning Into Your Greatness with Dr. Ashley M. Davis
On this week's episode, I had the immense pleasure of speaking with Dr. Ashley M. Davis. Ashley has dedicated herself to exploring the impact of servant leadership and is influence on the personal development and fulfillment of others. Working in continuing education and intercollegiate athletics, Ashley possesses a wealth of knowledge which she uses to open doors for others. As an educator and life coach, her motto is "Lean into your greatness, and never be afraid to let the world feel your shine." In today's conversation, you'll learn about how to get into alignment and find your authentic path, how servant leadership starts with our own inner work, and how getting clear on who you really are sets you up for unshakable confidence. Get ready to get INSPIRED by this amazing woman.
Connect with Ashley on Twitter @drashleydavis: https://twitter.com/DrAshleyDavis
On Instagram @drashleydavis: https://www.instagram.com/drashleydavis/
Email Ashley at: inyourlight111@gmail.com
If you want to wreck your perfection, consider working with a coach! I champion people who struggle with self-doubt and the inner critic by helping them step into their courage and find their brilliance. For a short time, I am offering a discounted rate as I accumulate practicum hours. Email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com if you'd like a free consult to learn more about life coaching and working with me!
If you loved this episode, consider supporting the podcast through a monthly donation at my Anchor.fm page. 10% of all donations will go to World Food Programme to support those experiencing hunger.
I'd LOVE your feedback on the show! Tell me what you like, what you didn't like, what you'd like to see! Email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com or DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae
Choosing Who We Become with Travis Daigle
On today's episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I have the privilege of speaking with Travis Daigle. Travis is a writer who is fascinated with how we solve problems in everyday life. I came across his Tedx Talk that he gave in 2018, where he shares his incredibly powerful story and in it he reveals how he was able to transform his pain into strength and resilience. He shares insights about the power of determination, how to overcome deeply held limiting beliefs, and how to find the courage to define success on your own terms. I learned so much from our talk, and I know you’re going to love what he has to say. Just a quick heads up that we do talk about weight loss and if that is a trigger for you, you might want to skip this episode.
To get more of Travis Daigle and to follow his blog, visit https://travisdaigle.com/
Recommended reading for those who want to work towards anti-racism: Stamped From the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi and 'me and white supremacy' by Layla F. Saad
Spend your dollars thoughtfully, and consider how you can support your local black-owned businesses. Official Black Wall Street is a great place to start, and they also have an app!
To support the podcast through a monthly donation, visit my Anchor.fm page. 10% of all donations will be donated to World Food Programme to support those experiencing hunger.
I'd LOVE your feedback on the show! Tell me what you like, what you didn't like, what you'd like to see! Email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com or DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae
Thank you for listening; my wish for us in our actions and conversations this week is to be well, fail big, and go wreck our perfection!
Cultivating Compassion for Ourselves and Others with Ven. Thubten Chodron
On today's episode, I have the distinct privilege of speaking with Ven. Thubten Chodron. Ven. Chodron is the founder and abbess of Sravasti Abbey, a Tibetan Buddhist monastic community in Washington. She teaches the Dharma, or Buddhist teachings, around the world, and has authored over 20 books, several of them with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Our conversation focuses on some Buddhist fundamentals, and especially compassion; how we can have more of it for ourselves and others. Ven. Chodron is humble, hilarious, and full of wisdom that I think is really relatable, and helpful in today’s polarizing climate.
Sravasti Abbey's website: https://sravastiabbey.org/
Venerable Thubten Chodron's website: http://thubtenchodron.org/
If you'd like to learn more about Buddhism visit http://thubtenchodron.org/books/buddhism-for-beginners/
The book that I reference in the episode by Ven. Chodron and a Clinical Psychologist is 'an open-hearted life': http://thubtenchodron.org/books/an-open-hearted-life/
To support the podcast through a monthly donation, visit my Anchor.fm page. To support me in making my music, you can do so through Patreon. Either will support my livelihood and be very much appreciated :)
If you have any feedback about the show, or you'd just like to say hi, I'd love to hear from you! DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae or email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com. I'm always looking for how I can better serve you, so let me know what you need and I'll do my best to make content that's helpful for you in practical ways. Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
Redefining Resilience in Academics and Beyond with Adina Glickman
On today’s episode, I have the immense privilege of speaking with Adina Glickman. Adina is an academic coach for high school and college students and parents, as well as a career coach for young professionals. During her 18 years at Stanford University, she founded the Stanford Resilience Project, and co-founded the academic resilience consortium, an international collective of faculty and higher education professionals from over 250 schools in 16 countries. She is the author of The Resilient Learner (which is in press), and is the co-author of ‘Over the Influence: A Harm Reduction Guide to Managing Drugs and Alcohol.’ Adina is also a Certified Integral Coach. In this episode you’ll hear her sage advice for college students and parents on coping with the current pandemic, why sometimes we need to adapt instead of persevere, and how to view academic performance within a larger context.
To work with Adina or to learn more about her visit her website: https://www.adinaglickman.com
To support my livelihood with a monthly donation, visit my Patreon or Anchor.fm page.
If you have any feedback about the show, or you'd just like to say hi, I'd love to hear from you! DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae or email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com. I'm always looking for how I can better serve you, so let me know what you need and I'll do my best to make content that's helpful for you in practical ways. Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
The Bewilderment of Life and Creativity with Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket)
On today’s episode, I have the amazing privilege of speaking with Daniel Handler, also known as Lemony Snicket. He has written numerous novels as well as books for children. His books have sold more than 70 million copies and have been translated into 40 languages, and have been adapted for screen and stage. You may have seen Netflix’s adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events’, for which he served as Executive Producer and Writer. He lives in San Francisco with the illustrator Lisa Brown, to whom he is married and whith whom he has collaborated on several books, and one son. We talk quite a bit about the creative process in this episode, and I left in the parts of our conversation before and after the actual interview because I thought you might find it interesting.
To learn more about Daniel Handler and to find his books, visit: https://www.danielhandler.com
To support my livelihood with a monthly donation, visit my Patreon or Anchor.fm page.
If you have any feedback about the show, or you'd just like to say hi, I'd love to hear from you! DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae or email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com. I'm always looking for how I can better serve you, so let me know what you need and I'll do my best to make content that's actually helpful for you in practical ways. Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
Making Peace with Your Inner Perfectionist with Ann Marie Dobosz
On today’s show, I have the privilege of speaking with Ann Marie Dobosz. Ann Marie is a licensed marriage and family therapist in the bay area, and the author of The Perfectionism Workbook for Teens. In this episode, she shares real life examples of what perfectionism can look like in ourselves, and the young people in our lives, and how we can work with the inner perfectionist, starting with recognizing the ways in which it’s holding us back, and then how we can work with it to create healthier thought processes and habits.
Buy The Perfectionism Workbook for Teens: https://bookshop.org/books/the-perfectionism-workbook-for-teens-activities-to-help-you-reduce-anxiety-and-get-things-done/9781626254541
Work with Ann Marie, and find more resources on perfectionism: https://annmarietherapy.com
She mentions Rick Hanson's work in the episode, who writes a lot about mindfulness, self-compassion, and positive emotions: https://www.rickhanson.net
If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so for as little as $0.99/month! 10% of all donations go to WFP, to feed those who might not otherwise have access to sufficient meals: https://anchor.fm/wreckyourperfection/support
If you have any feedback about the show, or you'd just like to say hi, I'd love to hear from you! DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae or email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com. I'm always looking for how I can better serve you, so let me know what you need and I'll do my best to make content that's actually helpful for you in practical ways.
Link to the song at the end of the episode: https://soundcloud.com/rachelle-lanae/human-demo
See you next week! Until then, be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection!
Braving the Stage with Natalie Walker
Back from the break, today's episode is with the incredible Natalie Walker. Natalie has served as the executive director of Rain City Rock Camp since co-founding the organization in 2008 and is an active participant in the Seattle music community as the bassist and vocalist for rock band Another Perfect Crime and the bassist for Grace Love and the Dirty Church. Natalie is such a beautiful soul, and shares her heart in this interview about empowering girls, women, and gender non-conforming folks to embrace their authentic selves through music. She’s such a badass, and in this episode she shares so much wisdom about how to trade your idea of perfection for a life where you get to define success on your own terms.
If you or your teen want to rock out with Rain City Rock Camp, you can do so at: https://www.raincityrockcamp.org (to maintain safety during COVID-19, RCRC is offering their programs virtually, which provides a whole new way of learning music and playing in a band!)
Check out Natalie's band, Another Perfect Crime: https://anotherperfectcrime.bandcamp.com
If you'd like to support the podcast, you can do so for as little as $0.99/month! 10% of all donations go to WFP, to feed those who might not otherwise have access to sufficient meals: https://anchor.fm/wreckyourperfection/support
If you have any feedback about the show, or you'd just like to say hi, I'd love to hear from you! DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae or email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com. I'm always looking for how I can better serve you, so let me know what you need and I'll do my best to make content that's actually helpful for you in practical ways.
If you'd like to learn more about the work I do as a musician, you can check out https://rachellelanae.com. I'd love to work with you if you're interested in online lessons or coaching. Also, my EP, 'Taking Back Me', will be out May 25th, so keep an ear out!
Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection!
Intuitive Eating and Living During COVID-19 with Natalie Joffe
In the first episode of the 2nd season of Wreck Your Perfection, I have the honor of speaking with Natalie Joffe. Natalie is a certified intuitive eating nutrition counselor who’s helped hundreds of clients since starting her practice in 2011. I was actually taking a break from this podcast when Natalie reached out to me, and we decided this was the perfect time to record an episode together. With COVID-19 causing a major shift in our daily lives, a lot of us are coping by trying to put together the perfect daily routine, and workout plan, and generally I think just struggling to process all that’s going on. So in this episode Natalie shares a lot of great tools for being more gentle with yourself about your productivity, reconnecting with your body so that you can eat and move your body more intuitively, and being more in tune with our feelings so that we can find healthy ways of coping.
Check out Natalie's website if you'd like to learn more about working with her: http://www.nataliejoffe.com/contact
more links for my lovelies:
Donate to support the podcast for as little as $5/month through Anchor: https://anchor.fm/wreckyourperfection/support
10% of all donations go to World Food Programme.
Donate to World Food Programme; $20 feeds 40 people! https://www.wfp.org/donate-now
If you like the song at the end of the episode that I wrote about our current situation, it's on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/rachelle-lanae/not-fine
If you have any feedback about the show, or you'd just like to say hi, I'd love to hear from you! DM me on instagram @rachelle.lanae or email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com.
Stay Tuned For Season 2!
That's it for the first season of Wreck Your Perfection. I'll be taking a break to record my EP, and to start preparing season 2 for you folks. Some really exciting guests coming up next season, so stay tuned! In the meantime, I'd love to hear from you through instagram; you can DM me @rachelle.lanae. Until next season, be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
Body Liberation and Beauty Culture with Jes Baker
On the 16th episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I had the immense privilege of interviewing Jes Baker. Jes is an author, international speaker and blogger with a background in mental health where she’s worked as a Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist, a Peer Support Specialist and Educator. She has two books, ‘Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls’ and more recently, ‘Landwhale’. On her blog, The Militant Baker, Jes preaches the importance of body autonomy, self-love, mental health, strong coffee, and even stronger language. The Militant Baker has been covered hundreds of times by the biggest media platforms including BBC, CNN, Today Show, ABC, Time, and New York Magazine. In this episode we talk about body liberation, the history of beauty culture, reconnecting with your body, and how you can take small steps towards becoming brave.
Check out Jes' blog, The Militant Baker. There you can find her books, and resources mentioned in the episode for body image and mental health. In the interview Jes mentions there are books about the history of beauty culture that stem from anti-blackness; 'Fearing the Black Body: The Racial Origins of Fat Phobia' is one she recommends.
more links for my lovelies:
Donate to support the podcast for as little as $5/month through Anchor.
Donate to World Food Programme; $20 feeds 40 people!
Donate to the Kickstarter campaign for my EP 'Taking Back Me'. The campaign ends March 1st and there's just a few hundred dollars to go!
If you have any feedback about the show, DM me on instagram @wreckyourperfection.
See you next week! Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
Building Confidence and Community Through Improv with Amy Angelilli
In the 15th episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I interview the wonderful Amy Angelilli. Amy is a certified laughter yoga leader and a graduate of ComedySportz and Bovine Metropolis Theater schools of improvisational theater with 20 years’ experience in improv. As well as teaching improv, Amy runs an organization she founded called the Adventure Project, where she facilitates transformation by bringing her passion for play to people – working in every environment imaginable from juvenile detention centers and corporate retreats to camp settings and senior centers. Amy is such a delight, and as well as being insightful and hilarious, in this interview you’ll learn how improv can help you build confidence in any area of your life, become less anxious and more present, build connection with others, and you’ll learn why play is so important for kids and adults, and how to get more of it in your life.
Check out Amy's website to learn more about the Adventure Project.
Hosting a podcast is a part-time (unpaid) job and if you would like to support the podcast through a monthly donation, you can do so for as little as $5/month through Anchor. 10% of all donations go to World Food Programme, towards their Zero Hunger goal by 2030. Fun fact, it only costs 50 cents to provide a day's worth of meals! There are 9 days to go on my Kickstarter campaign for my first solo EP 'Taking Back Me', and would HUGELY appreciate a couple dollars or just sharing the project with a fellow music-lover!
If you have any feedback about the show, DM me on instagram @wreckyourperfection. I love hearing from you, whether it's something that inspired you or something you want to hear on the show. Remember that as much as anyone in the entire universe, you deserve love and affection. Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
We Are Enough with Susan Verde
In the 14th episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I had the honor of speaking with New York Times bestselling children’s book author Susan Verde. Susan grew up in the heart of Greenwich Village in NYC, and she currently lives by the sea in East Hampton, New York with her 3 children and their dog, Gizmo. In addition to writing books for kids she also teaches yoga and mindfulness to children of all ages. Her award-winning stories ranging from museum visits and yoga to lifelong friendships and hope celebrate the unique voices and experiences of kids and inspire adults to let their own inner child out…maybe for a spontaneous game of hopscotch every now and then. Susan’s books have been translated into multiple languages. I thought this conversation was perfect for a Valentine’s Day episode, because the common thread throughout is really about being with and loving ourselves through all the ups and downs of our human experience, and knowing we’re ok, we’re enough.
Check out Susan's 'I Am' series, as well as her other beautifully written children's books on her website, and follow her on insta @susanverde.
Hosting a podcast is a part-time (unpaid) job and if you would like to support the podcast through a monthly donation, you can do so for as little as $5/month through Anchor. 10% of all donations go to World Food Programme, towards their Zero Hunger goal by 2030. Fun fact, it only costs 50 cents to provide a day's worth of meals! I also just launched the Kickstarter campaign for my first solo EP 'Taking Back Me', and would HUGELY appreciate a couple dollars or just sharing the project with a fellow music-lover!
If you have any feedback about the show, DM me on instagram @wreckyourperfection. I love hearing from you, whether it's something that inspired you or something you want to hear on the show. Happy Valentine's day, and remember that as much as anyone in the entire universe, you deserve love and affection. Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
Learning Through Collaboration with Dr. Stephanie Allen
In the 13th episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I have the honor of interviewing Dr. Stephanie Allen. Stephanie is a violinist with a passion for teaching violin and viola in the Twin Cities and around the world. She teaches half of her studio through long-distance learning, with students as far away as Africa. Her goal is to equip students with the tools to fully enjoy music and successfully navigate life. Stephanie and her two daughters enjoy living in Northeast, Minneapolis. They love exploring nature, drinking tea on cold nights, and spending time with their beloved cat, Bootsie. In this episode, Stephanie shares so many incredible insights on teaching and parenting through collaboration, plus some helpful tips on creating the life you want, letting go of what isn't serving you, and replacing fear with curiosity.
Resources Stephanie uses with her students: here are links to the Feeling Wheel for folks who can read, and a couple of feelings wheels for kids who can't read yet: this one has more feelings and this one is more simple.
If you’re interested in learning more about Stephanie’s approach to teaching or violin technique, You can e-mail her at stephanie@violintc.com
Hosting a podcast is a part-time (unpaid) job and if you would like to support the podcast through a monthly donation, you can do so for as little as $5/month through Anchor. 10% of all donations go to World Food Programme, towards their Zero Hunger goal by 2030. Fun fact, it only costs 50 cents to provide a day's worth of meals! I also just launched the Kickstarter campaign for my first solo EP 'Taking Back Me', and would HUGELY appreciate a couple dollars or just sharing the project with a fellow music-lover!
If you have any feedback about the show, DM me on instagram @wreckyourperfection. I love hearing from you, whether it's something that inspired you or something you want to hear on the show. As always, be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
Living Well Happily With Bipolar Disorder with Michelle Yang
In today's episode, I had the honor of interviewing Michelle Yang. Michelle is on a personal mission to show the world one can live well with bipolar disorder. Tired of the stigma, she is empowered to humanize and normalize mental health illnesses as just another part of the human condition. She recently quit her coveted corporate job to write and advocate for mental health wellness. Michelle has a memoir-in-progress and her articles have been featured on InStyle, HuffPost, and more.
Follow Michelle Yang on instagram @michelleyangwriter, and read her amazing work on her website.
If you or someone you know is struggling with your mental health, there is support. There are others out there who live with mental illness, and seeking help is a strength, not a weakness. NAMI and The Stability Network are a couple of great resources that Michelle mentions in the episode.
Podcasts are free to listen to but time-consuming to make! If you would like to support the podcast through a monthly donation, you can do so through Anchor. 10% of all donations go to World Food Programme, towards their Zero Hunger goal by 2030. I also just launched the Kickstarter campaign for my first solo EP 'Taking Back Me', and would HUGELY appreciate a couple dollars or just sharing the project with a fellow music-lover!
If you have any feedback for the show, DM on instagram @wreckyourperfection or email me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com. I love hearing from you, whether it's something that inspired you or who you want to hear on the show, or what I can do to make it better! Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection.
Bringing Hip Hop to the Classroom with James Miles aka The Fresh Professor
On today’s episode, I had the honor of interviewing James Miles, also known as the Fresh Professor. I heard his Tedx Talk in Seattle and was blown away by how he’s helping students engage by bringing hip hop into the classroom. He’s the executive director of Arts Corps, whose mission is to revolutionize arts education by igniting the creative power of young people through culturally engaging learning experiences. Before moving to Seattle, James worked as an actor and educator in Brooklyn for almost two decades. He was the director of education at Urban Arts Partnership, a professor at NYU, and has brought his message many other places, including SXSW EDU. He is so inspiring and brings so much joy into the room, I was just amazed at how many great insights he has for humans, educators, and parents.
For more on James Miles, check out his website.
Click here if you'd like to learn more about Arts Corps.
Also check out the leadership coaching program that James co-founded: Leaders Don't Lead
If you felt inspired by the episode, or you have any feedback on the show, I'd love to hear from you! DM me on instagram @wreckyourperfection or e-mail me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com. If you'd like to support the podcast, you can donate here; 10% of all proceeds are donated to World Food Programme, the largest hunger relief organization in the world, operating in 83 countries each year. Fun fact, it only costs $0.50 to feed a human for a whole day! Follow my blog and learn more about Wreck Your Perfection on my website. Be well, fail big, and go wreck your perfection!
Nurturing The Whole Human Through Dance with Denise Vogt
For the first episode of 2020, I had the honor of interviewing Denise Vogt. Denise is the co-director of Ballet Royale MN, the first and only school in Minnesota to fully integrate Progressing Ballet Technique® cross-training classes into its core curriculum, and since its inception has run a “Heath and Wellness” series that includes nutrition, injury prevention, and healthy mind-body awareness. Denise is also the artistic director of Twin Cities Ballet, a non-profit dance company which puts on full-length original ballets each year, one of which featured a live band as part of the set, performing Pink Floyd’s The Wall in its entirety. A warning that we do talk about disordered eating at one point in the episode, so if that is a trigger for you, you might want to skip this episode.
Check out Denise's school, Ballet Royale Minnesota, and her dance company, Twin Cities Ballet. If you're in the midwest, I highly recommend going to see one of their ballets. Live dance is such a transformative experience that brings beauty into the world and has the power to speak to the spirit.
If you felt inspired by the episode, or you have any feedback on the show, I'd love to hear from you! DM me on instagram @wreckyourperfection or e-mail me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com. If you'd like to support the podcast, you can donate here; 10% of all proceeds are donated to World Food Programme, the largest hunger relief organization in the world operating in 83 countries each year. Fun fact, it only costs $0.50 to feed a human for a whole day! Follow my blog and learn more about Wreck Your Perfection on my website. Happy 2020!
Finding Wonder and Belonging in Nature and Poetry with Myrna Keliher
For the 9th episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I had the pleasure of interviewing Myrna Keliher in her letterpress printshop in Kingston, WA, a small town on the Salish Sea. Myrna founded Expedition Press, whose mission is to deepen regard for language and increase access to poetry. She makes art, books, broadsides, and all kinds of printed propaganda. When she’s not printing life-giving words, Myrna loves to hike in the Olympic Mountains. She co-founded Wild Society, a wilderness education non-profit which works to establish relationships between human hearts and the everyday wild.
Check out Expedition Press, and read their manifesto to find out more about what they do. Follow Myrna's exquisite work on Instagram @expeditionpress.
Click here to learn more about Wild Society, and if you happen to live in the Pacific Northwest, consider sending your young one on a hike with them!
Special thanks to Mark Ukely for writing the music at the end of this episode, inspired by the title of this podcast! Watch his video and subscribe here.
If you felt inspired by the episode, or you have any feedback on the show, I'd love to hear from you! DM me on instagram @wreckyourperfection or e-mail me at rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com. If you'd like to support the podcast, you can donate here; 10% of all proceeds are donated to World Food Programme, the largest hunger relief organization in the world operating in 83 countries each year. Fun fact, it only costs $0.50 to feed a human for a whole day! Follow my blog and learn more about Wreck Your Perfection on my website. See you in 2020!
Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway
This episode of Wreck Your Perfection is a solo episode where I give a summary of the book 'Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway,' written by Dr. Susan Jeffers in 1987. She was called the 'Queen of self help' by the London Times, and she’s the author of numerous bestsellers, translated into dozens of languages. 'Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway' has sold over 2 million copies worldwide, and has made a huge impact on so many lives. Susan Jeffers died in 2012.
Buy 'Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway'
'Feel The Fear And Beyond' - this book is a follow up to 'Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway', and has more exercises for mastering the techniques of doing it anyway!
Susan Jeffers' website, which has audio affirmations and lots of daily inspiration!
Finding the Brilliance in Anyone - Claudia McKinstry
For this week’s episode, I had the immense pleasure of interviewing Claudia Mckinstry. Claudia is an artist and teacher, and she’s had exhibitions around the world, including Russia and Japan. Not only is she an amazing painter, but she has also figured out how to teach high school using art, helped scores of young people graduate high school through a drop-out retrieval program which she founded, and truly knows how to find the brilliance in anyone.
We did this interview at her beautiful home on Bainbridge island, where she has an incredible garden, an airstream, an Artist’s Retreat house that she BUILT, and an actual caboose as one of her painting studios - wait for the story on that one later on in the episode. On my way home from this interview I was in tears because of how inspired I was; Claudia is so full of wisdom and I can’t wait for you to hear what she has to say.
Here's a link to Claudia's website: http://claudiamckinstry.com/
Her Artist's Retreat Air BnB: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/21395037?source_impression_id=p3_1576113346_sSS9szjVBdU7vcaG
And Claudia mentions in the episode that her daughter runs Studio Life, which you can check out if you live in the Seattle area. They run all kinds of workshops, from classes on making cocktails to tapestries: https://www.studiolifeseattle.com/
Please e-mail any feedback or suggestions to rachelle.lanae.smith@gmail.com. Or you can DM me on instagram @wreckyourperfection. Feel free to subscribe to my blog or donate to support the podcast (part of the proceeds will go to the World Food Programme, a relief organization run by the UN with a worldwide zero hunger goal by 2030) at https://wreckyourperfection.com/
Stretch For Change - Gustavo Razzetti
For this week's episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I had the amazing chance to interview Gustavo Razzetti. Gustavo is a sought-after speaker, author, and change facilitator who transforms lives, teams, and organizations through consulting, training and team coaching. He is the founder and CEO of Liberationist a change consultancy that future proofs your workplace culture and the creator of the Culture Design Canvas. Gustavo's book Stretch for Change has been selected as a Soundview Best Business Book for 2017.
Follow the links below to check out some of the great work he's doing, and pick up a copy of his book, Stretch For Change. This interview only brushes the surface of all that Gustavo has to say about practical ways to bring about real change in your life.
Blog: https://liberationist.org/the-blog/
Culture Design Canvas: https://liberationist.org/the-culture-design-canvas/
Website: https://liberationist.org/
Go to https://wreckyourperfection.com/ to learn more, and to read the blog. You can also donate to support the podcast, and 10% of all proceeds will go to World Food Programme to help reach their zero hunger goal worldwide by 2030.
Giving Ourselves Permission To Be Human - Chris Loper
In this week's episode, I have the amazing opportunity to interview Chris Loper. Chris is the creator of becomingbetter.org, which is all about self-improvement that actually works. As a behavioral change coach, he helps people develop better habits by teaching them to adopt helpful mindsets and effective strategies. Chris also writes the blog for Northwest Educational Services, which is dedicated to helping parents support their children academically and helping students become better learners. That’s where I found his excellent article on overcoming perfectionism. He lives in Seattle, WA.
Chris and I talk about the definition of perfectionism, modeling mistakes and asking for help in front of our kids, why bad feelings are ok, and why struggling makes you stronger.
Chris' loving-kindness meditation
The Ted Talk I was referencing when I mentioned a beer and a banana nut muffin….more than worth 20 minutes of your time: Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability
'an open-hearted life' - the book on compassion I referenced (if you want to learn how to cultivate more compassion for yourself and others it's a great read)
'The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World' - the book written by the Dalai Lama I referenced
Finding Adventure in the Everyday - Carrie Bell
In the 4th episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing Carrie Bell. Our conversation takes place in her office at Twin Town Guitars in Minneapolis, where she and her spouse are co-owners. Carrie left the corporate world to start and run the education department at Twin Town. As well as employing a full staff of music teachers, Carrie teaches ukulele and clarinet. We dive into her transition into music education, her adventure as a parent of two, the challenges and joys of discovering who you are, and teaching as a partner with your student.
To check out the shop and their amazing lessons program, go to https://twintown.com/ (P.S. Carrie is my old boss - I taught at Twin Town for over two years before moving to the Seattle area. If you live in or near the Twin Cities, I highly recommend their lessons program!)
If you'd like to support Wreck Your Perfection, you can do so monthly for as little as a dollar at https://anchor.fm/wreckyourperfection/support. Ten percent of all donations will go to the World Food Programme, which is a branch of the UN focused on ending global hunger by 2030.
Why Your Story Matters - Kate Hopper
In the 3rd episode of Wreck Your Perfection, I interview Kate Hopper, who is an editor, teacher, and writing coach. She's the author of Use Your Words: A Writing Guide for Mothers, Ready for Air: A Journey Through Premature Motherhood, winner of a Midwest Independent Publishing Award, and she’s co-author of Silent Running, a memoir of one family’s journey with autism and running. Her writing has appeared in numerous journals. Her latest essay, "Stumbling Into Joy," was published in Creative Nonfiction's True Story and is a braided essay about learning to play bass in her mid-40s and the power of music in girls' and women's lives.
We talk about the creative process, parenting two daughters, being a woman in music, balancing work and family, finding joy in the little things, and pursuing (and prioritizing) creative passions later in life. And of course, how to embrace failure in all of these areas.
Check out Kate's website: http://www.katehopper.com/ and her essay "Stumbling Into Joy": https://www.creativenonfiction.org/products/true-story-issue-29
This episode was recorded at ModernWell (https://modernwell.co/), a women-centered collaborative workspace.
If you would take a moment to share this podcast with a friend whom you think may benefit, it would be greatly appreciated! If you want more from Wreck Your Perfection, follow @wreckyourperfection on instagram! Peace and love.
Rocking Out To Your Own Tune - Lesley Pereira
In episode 2 of Wreck Your Perfection, I interview Lesley Pereira. Lesley lives in Minneapolis and is a mom to three young daughters. She has degrees and certifications in public health, yoga, Ayurveda and life coaching. She offers one-on-one Ayurveda Lifestyle & Wellness Coaching to help women achieve a more optimal state of being- including less stress, better health, more simplicity and personal fulfillment.
If you would like to learn more about Lesley's coaching program, you can e-mail her at lesleypereirayoga@gmail.com.
If you'd like more from Wreck Your Perfection, follow me on instagram; the handle is @wreckyourperfection. Feel free to DM me with any feedback on the show! I'd love to hear from you.
Kindness, Mindfulness, and Story Jams - Megan Kaplan
In the kick-off episode, I interview Megan Kaplan, who is a veteran lifestyle writer, editor, and educator based in Minneapolis. She is the recent founder of The Wildling, a live storytelling project for middle schoolers. The mission of her organization is to give young people the courage and confidence to share their truths, harness the power of their voices, and listen to each other with open hearts.
The Wildling: https://thewildling.org/
Angela Duckworth's Ted Talk on Grit: https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance?language=en
Julia Cameron's 'The Artist's Way': https://juliacameronlive.com/
The Hoberman Sphere: http://www.hoberman.com/fold/Sphere/sphere.htm