The Dark Side of Perfect

Pop the champagne, pour the tea, or grab your favorite emotional support beverage because we officially made it to the finale of Season 2! 🥂✨In this final episode of the season, Maggie is diving deep into reclaiming low-stakes, analog hobbies. Following up on last week's discussion on building a Personal Curriculum, this week is all about the vital counter-weight: unstructured, zero-ROI, beautif...

The start of summer is the ultimate clean slate, but instead of falling into a scroll-hole of seasonal malaise, it’s time to build your own syllabus. Today, Maggie shares her lifelong family tradition of Independent Studies and how she uses deep, challenging learning to rewire her brain, build self-trust, and combat burnout. From decoding the cultural impact of Shakespeare’s Hamlet (thanks to a li...

Have you ever felt like you were stalling in your life and trying to figure out a way to move forward? This week, Maggie dives into the messy reality of choosing grad school. While the applications ask for the professional goals we think higher ed wants to hear, the real reasons are often much more human—like needing to throw a dramatic wrench into a path that no longer fits. Maggie breaks down he...

Look, we’ve all been there: scanning a job description and thinking, "I could do that," while your gut is screaming "Please don't." Maggie is joined by her friend Katie to talk about what happens where being a Perfect Girl meets the corporate world. We’re skipping the stuffy career coach advice and getting into the real stuff: the physical toll of wearing too many hats, why we both basically ignor...

Whatever makes you feel human is productive In this episode, Maggie officially kicks off Part 3 of Season 2: Navigating Life. We’re moving away from the should trap and into the gritty reality of redefining success. If you’ve ever felt like your worth is tied to how many emails you sent or how clean your kitchen is, this conversation is your permission slip to stop. Maggie gets vulnerable about th...

If you’ve ever felt like an eco-hypocrite because you forgot your water bottle or realized your sustainable haul was still full of plastic or honestly even if you are getting started on your crunchy girl journey and need some encouragement, this episode is for you. Today, Maggie sits down with her friend Megan who brings both professional experience in environmental conservation and a healthy dose...

In our last episode, we talked about intentionality. Today, we’re applying that concept to the most complex system we own: our physical bodies. If you’ve ever felt like a superhero on Monday and a ghost of yourself by Friday, this episode is for you. For too long, the Perfect Girl mindset has taught us to be linear, to perform at 100% every single day. But as people with cycles, we aren't buil...

What happens when the dream job you accidentally created starts to feel like a shiny bubble you never wanted? In this episode, Maggie sits down with Jolene Collins—the former founder of JoJo’s Sriracha and current Community Engagement Manager at Palmer Land Conservancy. Jolene is someone who radiates a calm, grounded intentionality, but as she reveals in this episode, her inner landscape is often...

In this episode, host Maggie sits down with her former professor, Cory Cunningham from the Leeds School of Business. With over 20 years of experience studying the human side of business, Cory helps us navigate the terrifying transition from the classroom to the real world where the rubrics don’t exist and the measuring sticks are always changing. Together, they dive into why Perfect Girls struggle...

I almost didn't record this episode because I didn't feel ready. I’ve been procrastinating on it for weeks because I’m currently in the middle of a massive transition buying a house, painting, renovating, and living between two places. I realized that waiting to feel ready was just another way I was trying to stay in control. This episode is a look at why change is so hard for those of us...

In this episode of The Dark Side of Perfect , Maggie is joined by her ride-or-die of ten years, Maddux, to decode the Physics of Friendship. They trace their origin story from a group project involving gross lake water and failing physics to the high-stakes reality of maintaining a deep connection across 1,000 miles. We’re pulling back the curtain on how to navigate the isolation of post-grad life...

Why is making friends as an adult so hard? In this episode of The Dark Side of Perfect , Maggie explores the digitization of modern friendship and why we’ve lost the comfort of the Third Space . Whether you’ve just moved to a new city or you’re feeling the weight of a lonely routine, Maggie shares her personal journey of moving from a nomadic kid to an adult who had to learn how to leave the house...

Does following the perfect girl mold actually lead to happiness, or just burnout? In the Season 2 premiere, Maggie sits down with her sister Mae (owner of Binxmajink Nails ( @binxmajinx )) to dismantle the Should Trap. From surviving three schools at once to the moment Mae realized she was walking a graduation stage for everyone but herself, the sisters discuss setting boundaries, humbling the hat...

In the season finale of The Dark Side of Perfect, host Maggie reflects on the journey of the podcast, discussing the challenges and triumphs of the first season. She emphasizes the importance of redefining perfection, building a supportive community, and sharing personal growth experiences. The episode concludes with a forward-looking perspective on season two, inviting listener engagement and fee...

In this episode of The Dark Side of Perfect, host Maggie explores the physical manifestations of stress and the importance of nervous system regulation. Through personal anecdotes and scientific insights, she emphasizes the need for intuitive wellness and listening to one's body. The conversation delves into the consequences of ignoring bodily signals, the dynamics of the nervous system, and p...

In this episode of The Dark Side of Perfect , host Maggie delves into the concept of boundaries, exploring their importance in personal relationships and self-care. She discusses the connection between boundaries and people pleasing, the fear and guilt associated with setting boundaries, and practical strategies for establishing them. The episode emphasizes the need for clear communication and con...

In this episode, Maggie explores the complex relationship between perception, validation, and identity. She discusses how societal expectations shape our self-worth and the importance of internal validation. Through personal anecdotes and reflective questions, she encourages listeners to embrace imperfection and cultivate self-acceptance. The episode outlines practical steps to detach self-worth f...

In this episode of The Dark Side of Perfect, host Maggie explores the concept of romanticizing one's life, emphasizing the importance of finding beauty and meaning in everyday moments. She discusses how this practice can help shift focus from external productivity to internal presence, fostering emotional regulation and self-discovery. The episode covers practical steps for romanticizing life,...

In this episode of The Dark Side of Perfect, host Maggie delves into the concept of energy distribution through the lens of masculine and feminine energy. She emphasizes that these energies are not gender-specific and that everyone possesses both. Maggie shares her personal journey of understanding how to balance these energies in her life, particularly in the context of perfectionism and burnout....

In this short episode of The Dark Side of Perfect, Maggie discusses the emotional toll of constant exposure to distressing news and events. She explores the concept of compassion fatigue, emphasizing the importance of self-care and setting boundaries to maintain emotional well-being. The episode encourages listeners to find balance in their engagement with the world while recognizing the need for...

In this episode, Maggie explores the often overlooked emotional space of grieving the potential selves we never became. She discusses the discomfort and sadness that arise from adhering to societal expectations and the pressure to be perfect while trying to figure out the next step in your journey. Through personal anecdotes, she emphasizes the importance of recognizing and naming these feelings,...

In this episode, Maggie explores the concept of the 'should trap,' where societal expectations and personal obligations can lead individuals away from their true desires. She discusses the transition from the setup phase of the podcast to a deeper exploration of internal reflection, emphasizing the importance of understanding the difference between 'shoulds' and 'wants.' Th...

In this episode of The Dark Side of Perfect, host Maggie explores the myth of having it all together through routines and habits. She discusses the societal pressures surrounding perfect routines, the importance of understanding one's identity in habit formation, and how to create personalized routines that align with individual needs. The conversation emphasizes the significance of finding ha...

In this episode, host Maggie and guest Annie explore the dark side of perfectionism. They discuss its impact on relationships, mental health, and personal growth. They share personal experiences and coping mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and mindset shifts to manage perfectionist tendencies. The conversation highlights the need for safety and emotional regulation in overc...

In this episode, Maggie discusses the importance of goal setting through the lens of a 2026 arc. She emphasizes the need for meaningful vision boards, the process of finding and setting goals, and the strategies for achieving them. Maggie also addresses common pitfalls in goal setting and encourages listeners to reflect on their personal priorities and motivations. The episode concludes with a rem...