Most Self-Improved

How do you move from setting goals that fizzle out to living a life that feels deeply aligned with who you are? In this episode of Most Self-Improved, we sit down with coach and vision mapping expert Beth Batson to talk about creating a vision that serves as your North Star. Beth shares how vision mapping can shift you away from fixing what’s broken and instead guide you toward a future fueled by...

Should you have a baby? What if you want one, but circumstances are beyond your control? And how do you grieve when life doesn’t unfold the way you hoped? In this deeply moving and pragmatic episode, hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen speak with Merle Bombardieri, clinical social worker, therapist, and author of “ The Baby Decision” and “Baby or Childfree?” For decades, Merle has guided peopl...

Get the Sunday scaries? Feel stuck in a role that’s “fine” but far from fulfilling? You’re not alone — nearly 80% of people feel disengaged at work, according to Gallup . But what if you could design a career that lights you up instead of draining you? In this inspiring conversation, career development coach Emily Lamia, founder of Pivot Journeys, shares practical, energizing strategies to help yo...

If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by choice — whether it’s small, like deciding on dinner, or big, like changing careers — this episode is your push toward clarity. Decision coach Nell Wulfhart joins hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri to help untangle what’s actually keeping us stuck. From overthinking to fear of regret, this honest conversation offers practical strategies and mindset shifts to h...

You don’t need a significant other, bestie, or bachelorette invite to see the world. You simply need the desire (which you’ve got), the confidence to take your dreams seriously, and the courage to act on it. In this episode of Most Self-Improved, hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen chat with Melissa Byron of A Solo Woman Traveling — an expert who curates luxury European tours for women. She’s...

This is such a fun and informative episode for anyone who has been accused of being picky or secretly wondered if their standards for dating are too high. Dating coach Rachel Simeone joins hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri to unpack what it really means to be picky and what settling feels like. “Settling comes from a place of fear, a place (of) insecurity,” Rachel says. “The message you&apos...

Your Most Self-Improved hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri kick off Season 3 with an episode that might be just the exhale you need. Tricia Dimon, a breathwork facilitator and founder of Breath of Abundance , explains the inner clarity and calm that can be achieved through intentional breath.  If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected from your intuition, or like your body is carrying stress yo...

Maybe you haven’t found the right partner, or perhaps pairing up isn’t of interest at all, but you’d still like to pursue your dream of becoming a parent on your own. In this eye-opening episode, Most Self-Improved hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen chat with Ali Cherry, wearer of multiple hats, including therapist, writer , standup comic and mom.  Discover Ali’s inspiring story of embracing...

It’s a four-letter word with a bad rap, but we’re going to talk about it anyway: envy. We just exited “Why is everyone in Italy without me?”-season, but there are still times when we feel like we’re lacking or behind — as the only single girl at dinner, or intimidated by all of the influencers and CEOs on our #FYP that seem to have it all (and all figured out). What’s wrong with us? (Spoiler alert...

"Most Self Improved" hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen chat with life and leadership coach Stephanie MacKinnon to explore the elusive balance between effort and ease. If you’ve ever struggled with knowing how hard to push yourself and when to rest, this conversation is a must-listen. In this episode: 02:47 Stephanie's journey and insights: “It’s a constant cycle of learning an...

As minimalist lifestyle coach Dara Zycherman explains, minimalism extends far beyond just decluttering. Discover how minimalism, rooted in mindfulness and self-reflection, can transform not only your physical space but also your mental clarity and confidence.  Listen as Dara explains the difference between organizing and simplifying, the emotional weight of our possessions, and how our outer envir...

In this episode of Most Self-Improved, hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri chat with therapist Leah Marone all about adult friendships.  Leah emphasizes our innate need for connection and the challenges of maintaining friendships as we age. If you’ve been sad about an evolving friendship, don’t worry. Grieving is totally normal, Leah says. And clear, proactive communication can help. This chat...

Most Self-Improved hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri welcome marriage and family therapist Dr. Ilene Cohen for this episode on happiness.  Discover how a strong foundation built on values and principles, rather than fleeting pleasures, leads to true fulfillment. And learn about the impact of relationships, self-evaluation, and overcoming challenges to achieve lasting joy.  Whether you'r...

In this episode of Most Self-Improved, behavioral economist Peter McGraw discusses the benefits of embracing singledom as someone whose identity is independent of their relationship status. He calls it living as a Solo.  Peter says being single is often “viewed as temporary, viewed as less than. It's like, ‘Oh, I'm sure you'll find your person,’ kind of dinner conversation.” But Pet...

In this episode of "Most Self-Improved,” hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri chat with goal achievement coach Kristin Burke about the power of consistency in reaching your goals. It’s one of Kristin’s four C's of goal achievers, after all — along with clarity, confidence and courage. For our audience, Kristin outlines a simple yet effective four-part goal-setting process. She also re...

Hello! Allow us at Most Self-Improved -- hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen -- to reintroduce our podcast. While we launched in September 2023 as a podcast book club devoted exclusively to personal growth titles, we've pivoted to an interview format in which we talk to experts in the wellness space seeking answers to questions like, "Where the heck do I make friends as a thirty-some...

Naturally a podcast named Most Self-Improved is returning with a few, well, improvements! Though the show launched in September 2023 as a book club podcast exclusively reading personal growth titles, your hilarious, relatable and never-afraid-to-be-vulnerable hosts have gotten rid of the required reading. Going forward, hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen will interview therapists and experts...

Do you have a vision of who you’d like to be in 2024? Perhaps it’s someone who consistently works out, reads, or eats a more balanced-diet? Perhaps this version of you is one you’ve imagined for a long time, but for whatever reason you haven’t been able to make it a reality. In light of the New Year, we’re reading James Clear’s “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Br...

Do you have a vision of who you’d like to be in 2024? Perhaps it’s someone who consistently works out, reads, or eats a more balanced-diet? Perhaps this version of you is one you’ve imagined for a long time, but for whatever reason you haven’t been able to make it a reality. In light of the New Year, we’re reading James Clear’s “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Br...

Do you have a vision of who you’d like to be in 2024? Perhaps it’s someone who consistently works out, reads, or eats a more balanced diet? Perhaps this version of you is one you’ve imagined for a long time, but for whatever reason you haven’t been able to make it a reality. In light of the New Year, we’re reading James Clear’s “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Br...

Calling all perfectionists: this series is for you! In this episode, Katherine Morgan Schafler, psychotherapist and author of "The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control,” answers all of our lingering questions, including: How can you detach from the outcome of something that you care about so much, like wanting to be a parent?  As a perfectionist, are my expectations too high for a rom...

Calling all perfectionists: this series is for you! In "The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control,” psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler gives a formula for feeling restored and highlights the importance of allowing yourself to experience pleasure today. “Restoration is a two-phase process. You empty yourself out, you fill yourself back up,” she writes. Katherine says restoration...

Calling all perfectionists: this series is for you! In "The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control,” psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler explains that perfectionists can be great at self-punishment if they don’t meet their expectations. Examples of punishments include critical and negative self talk, self-sabotaging the good in your life, and denying yourself the space and time to...

Calling all perfectionists: this series is for you! In "The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control,” psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler says it’s time to embrace who you are. “Perfectionists are intelligent people who understand that everything can’t work out perfectly all the time,” Katherine explains in her book. “What they sometimes have trouble with is understand why they sti...

For this very special Thanksgiving episode of Most Self-Improved, hosts Bhavana and Erin discuss Oliver Sacks' collection of essays "Gratitude." The late Sacks penned the book during his battle with cancer. “I cannot pretend I am without fear. But my predominant feeling is one of gratitude," he wrote. "I have loved and been loved; I have been given much and I have given so...