Getting to Good Enough

You know that feeling when something doesn’t go the way you thought it would—and it hits harder than you'd like? In this episode, we’re talking about expectations—how they show up in everything from travel plans to dentist appointments to your everyday to-do list, and how they quietly shape your entire experience. We share real-life examples (including a very competitive 97-year-old card player, a...

Imposter syndrome can show up when we’re comparing ourselves to other people, trying to be perfect, or worrying we’ll be judged and “found out.” In this episode, we talk about how imposter syndrome has shifted for us with age and experience—and why authenticity helps so much. We dig into how social media is curated (and built to work with the algorithm), why it’s such a trap to compare your real l...

In this episode, we’re talking about imperfect fitness —the kind where you don’t have to do it perfectly to keep going. We share why having a clear goal can make exercise feel so much more doable (and honestly, more fun), especially if perfectionism tends to make you freeze up or quit. Shannon tells Janine about signing up for the Oslo Marathon 10K happening in September while she's traveling in S...

Do you have a tiny annoyance you keep living with—like gunk on your iPad screen, dirty glasses, or something around the house that almost works but not quite? In this episode, we talk about tolerations : those little everyday frustrations we tell ourselves aren’t worth dealing with… even though they keep charging us a fee in irritation and mental energy. We also touch on how perfectionism can snea...

Do you ever tell yourself you’ll relax after you finish one more thing—then somehow you don’t relax and you don’t finish the thing? In this episode, we talk about the “I’ll feel better when…” trap: waiting for the perfect weather, the organized house, the cleared inbox, or the magical moment when everything is finally done. We look at how this shows up in everyday life (like skipping a walk becaus...

Sometimes a productivity system can be great… until it suddenly isn’t. In this episode, we talk about what to do when your usual way of getting things done starts to feel stale, frustrating, or just not effective anymore—especially after a big life change. We chat about why it’s normal for tools and routines to stop working, how novelty and “reward” can help you re-enter real life after a chaotic...

When life feels tight or difficult, it’s easy to focus on what’s not going right. In this episode, we talk about how celebrating small wins —even the silly, ridiculous ones—can support motivation , build self-compassion , and help us practice progress over perfection . We share real-life examples (like Shannon’s surprise “lip balm shot” into the trash, a stress-free elevator ride, and surviving a...

What if your hobbies could be the one place you don’t have to optimize, be productive, or “do it right”? In this episode, we talk about keeping hobbies fun—especially when perfectionism shows up and makes us hesitate to start, abandon a project, or turn enjoyment into pressure. We share real-life examples from knitting, bullet journaling, visible mending, watercolor and sketchbooks, and even readi...

Multitasking sounds like a superpower, but most of the time it’s really task switching —jumping back and forth so fast we don’t notice the cost. In this episode, we talk about the difference between true multitasking and rapid switching, and why switching can make you less effective, less productive, and less present. We also share a few real-life examples (knitting while watching TV, exercising w...

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed lately, you’re not alone. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like when what’s happening in the world takes up more of our bandwidth than we realize—and how that can show up as low energy, stress, and doomscrolling. We remind ourselves that even when we’re not personally in immediate danger, it still takes real energy to be in the world right now. So we expl...

This week we’re getting real about that all-too-familiar feeling behind—whether it’s your to-do list, New Year’s intentions, or just life in general. We talk about what rushing actually looks like in our lives, why it rarely helps with time management, and how our culture’s obsession with busyness (and perfectionism) can make us feel like we’re never caught up. We share how we’re reframing what pr...

Happy New Year! If decision-making tends to turn into overthinking, you’re not alone. In this episode, we share a good-enough approach to easier decision-making—plus the maximizer vs. satisficer mindset and our “rule of three.” Shannon shares her word of the year for 2026: choose —a reminder to make decisions on purpose instead of feeling swept along. We also dig into the difference between being...

It’s the end of the day, you’re tired and hungry, and you’re standing in front of the refrigerator hoping it will offer a suggestion...again. In this episode, we talk about why dinner can feel so complicated (even when food is readily available) and how a little “good enough” planning can make weeknights calmer. Meal planning isn’t just about food—it’s about reducing decision fatigue at the exact...

We kick this episode off with a very real-life moment: Janine opened the refrigerator right before recording and realized it was past time for the dreaded clean-out… again. (You know the one—mystery containers, missing storage bowls, and the hope that nothing has started to smell.) That prompts a conversation about procrastination—why we do it, what’s actually happening underneath it, and how we c...

What if the “secret to happiness” is…doing a small, slightly uncomfortable thing now—so tomorrow (and next week… and tax season) feels easier? In this episode, we talk about what we’re calling the discomfort dividend : the idea that a little effort, inconvenience, or mild discomfort in the present can pay you back later with more ease, less stress, and better momentum . We share real-life examples...

Have you ever finished a big task and felt that rush of relief—like, ahhh, I’m finally caught up —and then… immediately noticed ten more things waiting for you? Same. In this episode, we’re unpacking the productivity myth of “catching up,” why it can feel so urgent (and so exhausting), and how it connects to perfectionism and productivity. Starting in the middle of an “atmospheric river” (aka endl...

Ever catch yourself waiting for the “perfect” moment before you start something new? In this episode, Shannon and Janine break down how embracing imperfection, self-compassion, and progress over perfection can help you finally take that first step—no matter how messy it feels. What We Talk About 01:45: The myth of readiness—how perfectionism and waiting for the “right time” keep us stuck  03:...

From the Great British Bake Off to quirky comedies and riveting thrillers, creative crafts, and lots of reading, we’re diving into all the things that have been adding a little comfort and fun to our days. We chat about the shows making us smile (and cover our eyes), the joy of audiobooks and how they fit into our routines, and the satisfaction of rediscovering cozy knitting projects. We also refl...

Struggling to say no without feeling guilty? You're not alone. In this honest conversation about setting boundaries, Shannon and Janine share why "no" really is a complete sentence—even when it doesn't feel like it. Fresh from juggling surgery prep, family events, and a three-day conference, Shannon opens up about the real challenge of saying no to things you actually want to do. Janine shares her...

Ever suggest dinner plans only to hear an immediate "no" from your partner? Or find yourself automatically disagreeing with suggestions before you've even thought them through? You're not alone—and it's not personal. In this episode, we're diving into the fascinating world of communication patterns, specifically exploring whether you're a sameness or differences person, or a matcher or mismatcher....

Ever feel stuck between hoping for the best and preparing for the worst? When you're facing medical uncertainty—or any kind of unknown outcome—that gap between hope and fear can feel exhausting. In this episode, we get real about what it's like to live in that uncomfortable in-between space, and share strategies for staying present when the future feels uncertain. What We Talk About [01:12] The Se...

What happens when life throws you the exact curveball you were trying to avoid? We reconnect after more than a month apart to talk about navigating shoulder surgery recovery while keeping our newly relaunched podcast thriving. This conversation is about what "good enough" really means when your expectations shift moment by moment, when celebrating progress means being excited to put your hair up,...

Originally aired: August 19, 2021 We've all been there—when everything seems to go wrong and you're stuck in a spiral of frustration. But what if you could turn around a bad day without just waiting it out or forcing fake gratitude? In this Best Of episode, Janine shares her terrible, horrible, no good very bad day, and Shannon offers practical self-compassion strategies to shift your perspective...

What if you're not bad at productivity—you're just using the wrong system for your brain? In this episode about finding your peak productivity hours , Shannon and Janine stumble into a conversation that turns into a real-time energy audit experiment . Shannon discovers her natural energy rhythms peak at 3-6 PM—the exact opposite of what productivity gurus recommend. We commit to tracking our energ...

How to Host Guests Without Perfectionism Taking Over What if the secret to being a great host has nothing to do with having a perfect home? Join Shannon and Janine as they share personal stories about stress-free hosting , from spontaneous game nights to weekend visits with college friends. Discover why your guests care more about connection than your baseboards, and learn practical strategies to...