What keeps so many of us from showing up as our authentic selves? Rachel Blogg sits down with holistic therapist and coach Corynne Carranza for a candid conversation about perfectionism, social media, motherhood, entrepreneurship, boundaries, and the quiet fears that often hold us back from being fully seen. Together they explore why even experienced therapists struggle with vulnerability online, how comparison steals confidence, the pressure to always be productive, and the importance of creating space for joy instead of constantly chasing achievement. They also reflect on the value of women's retreats, building meaningful community, protecting your time, and learning that growth often begins just outside your comfort zone. Honest, funny, and deeply relatable, this conversation is a reminder that being imperfectly human is exactly where real connection begins. Connect with Corynne:Instagram,  Linkedin, Website Stay connected with Rachel:LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

What happens when recovery stops being about simply staying alive and starts becoming about fully living? Rachel Blogg sits down with comedian, entrepreneur, and recovery advocate Jill Pavlov for an honest conversation about eating disorders, addiction, perfectionism, and the long journey toward self-worth. Jill shares how years of believing she wasn't enough led to an eating disorder, substance abuse, and ultimately a life-changing stay at treatment. Together, she and Rachel explore the lingering voice of an eating disorder, the pressure of perfectionism, why confidence is something we practice rather than something we have, and how improv comedy unexpectedly became a powerful tool for quieting overthinking and learning to take up space. They also reflect on grief, honoring loved ones lost to addiction, and why kindness may be one of the most powerful forms of healing we can offer each other. Connect with Jill:Instagram,  Linkedin Stay connected with Rachel:LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

In this inspiring episode of Imperfectly Human, Rachel sits down with former NFL player, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker Marques Ogden to explore what it really means to rebuild your life after everything falls apart. Marques shares his journey from professional football to becoming a successful business owner, only to lose nearly everything after a devastating business failure. Faced with financial ruin, addiction, and a complete loss of identity, he found himself at rock bottom and forced to make a choice: remain a victim of his circumstances or take radical accountability for his future. Together, Rachel and Marques discuss the challenges of identity beyond achievement, the mental health struggles many athletes and high performers face, and why focusing on the process rather than the outcome can lead to greater success. Marques opens up about the lessons he learned through bankruptcy, personal setbacks, and starting over, while sharing the mindset shifts that helped him rebuild both his career and his life. This conversation is a powerful reminder that adversity does not define us. Through resilience, personal responsibility, and a willingness to keep moving forward, even our most difficult setbacks can become the foundation for growth, purpose, and a meaningful comeback.   Connect with Marques:Instagram,  Linkedin Stay connected with Rachel:LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

Fear doesn't always show up in obvious ways. Sometimes it's loud and easy to recognize, and other times it hides behind perfectionism, self-doubt, and the belief that we're not ready yet. In this solo episode of Imperfectly Human, Rachel shares how her fear of the ocean led her to take on a triathlon and eventually complete a Half Ironman. She explores how fear can keep us stuck in our personal lives, careers, and athletic pursuits—and why waiting for everything to be perfect may mean waiting forever. Through personal stories and professional insights, Rachel challenges listeners to identify what's really holding them back and take the first step forward, even when fear is still present. Stay connected with Rachel: LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok   ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

In this deeply moving conversation, Rachel Blogg sits down with Holocaust survivor Mary Eckstein to explore a life shaped by loss, resilience, courage, and gratitude. Mary shares her firsthand experiences as a child in Nazi-occupied Hungary, surviving fear, hunger, separation from family, and the uncertainty of war while witnessing extraordinary acts of kindness that helped save lives. As the conversation unfolds, Mary reflects on the heartbreak of losing family members in Auschwitz, the challenges of rebuilding a life after the Holocaust, immigrating to America, and later facing the loss of her son and husband. Through it all, she reveals the mindset that has carried her through decades of hardship: focusing on what remains rather than what was taken away. This episode is a powerful reminder that while we cannot change our past, we can choose how we carry it forward. Mary's wisdom on gratitude, resilience, kindness, and the dangers of hate offers lessons that feel especially relevant today. Stay connected with Rachel: LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

Rachel Blogg sits down with Alicia Michelle, founder of The Koi Collective, for a conversation that took a completely unexpected turn. What starts as a business chat quickly becomes one of the most raw and honest conversations about surviving a childhood defined by poverty, abuse, and chaos, leaving home at 17 with nothing, and slowly, painstakingly building something different. Alicia opens up about growing up the oldest of 13 siblings in Section 8 housing, discovering in her mid-twenties that her siblings shared a different father, navigating a physically abusive marriage with no financial safety net, and walking away from it all with zero support and zero dollars. She talks about what it actually takes to rebuild not just a business, but a sense of self, over 13 years of showing up imperfectly and refusing to stay stuck. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt like the odds were stacked against them before they even started. Alicia's story is not about one big breakthrough moment. It is about consistency, boundaries, and deciding that your past does not get to write the rest of your story. Connect with Alicia: LinkedIn, Instagram Stay connected with Rachel: LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

In this episode of Imperfectly Human, Rachel sits down with Garrison Carter for a powerful conversation about identity, discipline, leadership, and resilience. As a senior student-athlete at Illinois Institute of Technology, Garrison shares the realities behind competing at a high level while balancing academics, personal growth, and life beyond basketball. Together, they discuss overcoming injury, losing 40 pounds during COVID, handling pressure as a college athlete, and learning how faith and family helped shape his mindset. Garrison opens up about mental toughness, the fear of failure, and how he learned that success is not just about performance on the court, but about growth, consistency, and staying true to yourself. This episode is an inspiring reminder that we are all more than the titles, achievements, or expectations placed upon us. Meet my Guest Garrison Carter is a senior at Illinois Institute of Technology from Island Lake and a four-year captain of the men’s basketball team. A Dean’s List student and one of the top scorers in program history with more than 1,000 career points, Garrison has earned First Team All-Conference honors along with multiple all-conference selections throughout his college career. Outside of basketball, Garrison serves as President of the Black Student Athlete Association and has previously served as President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. He is also a Resident Advisor and mentor who is passionate about leadership, community, and helping others grow both on and off the court. Through his experiences as an athlete and leader, Garrison continues to inspire others with his humility, discipline, and commitment to personal development. Connect with Garrison: Instagram, Linkedin  Stay connected with Rachel: LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

Rachel Blogg sits down with Meghan Brooks, a recovery advocate and treatment professional with 15 years of sobriety, who shares the honest, unglamorous truth about what it actually took to get sober and stay that way. Meghan opens up about growing up with addiction in her family, bouncing between cities trying to outrun her disease, and the moment she got kicked out of her own IOP group, which turned out to be the day everything changed. This conversation goes deep on the early struggles of sobriety that nobody talks about, including why the first two years felt awful, how Meghan intentionally surrounded herself with women who had decades of time, and why doing the steps more than once can completely shift your perspective. They also touch on the misconceptions around AA, higher power, and what it really means to protect your recovery without guilt. If you or someone you love is waiting for the "right moment" to ask for help, this episode is a reminder that the window of willingness is real and worth walking through.Connect with Meghan on Instagram Stay connected with Rachel:LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok   ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

Rachel Blogg sits down with Dido Balla, CEO of Kindness Matters, for an honest conversation about what kindness actually means and why it has nothing to do with always saying yes. Together they explore the difference between being kind and being nice, why self-kindness is the foundation, and how setting boundaries can be one of the most generous things you do for yourself and others. Dido shares the four guiding beliefs behind Kindness Matters, including the idea that every human being is born with a capacity for good, and explains how negativity bias quietly shapes the way we see the world and raise our kids. From training teachers and parents to taking kindness programs to Cameroon, the work is as practical as it is deeply human. The episode closes with a reminder about gratitude that cuts right to the core: if your heart is beating, you have already hit the jackpot. Whether you are a parent, educator, or someone who has been a little harder on themselves than they deserve, this conversation meets you right where you are. Connect with Dido:LinkedIn, Instagram, Website Stay connected with Rachel:LinkedIn, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok   ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.