Never Perfect

Hosted by Dr. Beth

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Aug 2026

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About the show

As a psychologist, I have a sacred opportunity to both teach and learn from my clients. It is my mission to bring honest, real life stories to the light in hopes that the listeners might grow from them and be as inspired by them as I am, because there is no better way to struggle than “together. As a psychologist, I am driven by curiosity to gain greater understanding of others, as we navigate our way through this “never perfect” life.

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August 7, 202610 min

When to Push and When to Protect: Making Brave Decisions Without Fear

Have you ever stood at a crossroads, unsure whether to push yourself forward or pull back and protect your peace? We make these calls every day, go to the gathering or rest, ask for support or stay silent, face the hard thing or avoid it. But how do you know which choice will help you grow and which will cost you? In this heartfelt solo episode, Dr. Beth Capecchi explores the tension between pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and honoring your need for boundaries. Drawing on two real client stories, a man weighing his health against showing up for a friend, and a woman deciding whether to risk vulnerability with her siblings. Beth unpacks how fear quietly shapes our decisions, why we so often underestimate ourselves, and how the willingness to be vulnerable can open doors to the very support we need. What You'll Learn: How to tell the difference between healthy self-protection and fear-driven avoidance Why we tend to overestimate the challenge in front of us and underestimate our own strength The hidden power of vulnerability and why people can't support you if they don't know you need them How to make decisions rooted in long-term health rather than short-term fear or people-pleasing Why facing grief, instead of storing it away, is essential to healing A compassionate reframe for when others let us down and we don't know their full story If you're facing a decision and don't know whether to push or protect, this episode is for you. Take a listen, sit with what resonates, and share it with someone who might need permission to trust themselves a little more today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 4, 202650 min

The Man Everyone Thought Was Fine: PTSD, Addiction, and an Unlikely Redemption

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide, trauma, PTSD, and addiction. If you're struggling, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7 in the U.S. What if the person who seems most "put together" is quietly falling apart? Craig looked like he had it all, a successful pharmacy career, nearly forty years of marriage, three grown sons, and a firefighter's badge. But behind the grounded exterior was a man wrestling with PTSD, alcoholism, a decades-long pornography addiction, and a night in October 2024 when he nearly ended his life. In this deeply honest conversation, Dr. Beth Capecchi sits down with Craig (joined by his wife, Cindy) to trace how cumulative trauma, from witnessing his brother's murder at age ten to eight years of adrenaline-fueled firefighting calls, slowly rewired his brain and eroded his marriage. It's a raw, redemptive story about how the strongest-looking people often carry the heaviest secrets, and how naming the pain is the first step toward healing. What You'll Learn: Why PTSD isn't always one catastrophic event  and how "cumulative trauma" quietly builds until it breaks you How childhood wounds resurface and amplify later trauma, even decades after you think you've "moved on" The science of a nervous system stuck in overdrive  why Craig's amygdala "never turned off" and what that did to his sleep, memory, and anger How addiction often begins as an attempt to self-soothe unbearable symptoms  and why self-compassion matters alongside accountability The warning signs first responders and their families should never ignore, including the sobering statistics on PTSD and suicide in fire and EMS How faith, therapy, and the right treatment can coexist  and why healing is a process, not a magic cure About the Guest:  Craig Scheel is a longtime pharmacist and former career firefighter and lieutenant who served an engine company in Catoosa County, Georgia. Alongside his wife of forty years, Cindy, he now shares his story openly to help others struggling in silence with trauma, addiction, and thoughts of suicide  and to remind them that transformation is possible. Wherever you are today, this episode is a reminder that you are never as alone as you feel and that even the deepest pit isn't the end of the story. Take a listen, sit with it, and if it moves you, share it with someone who might need to hear that healing is possible. Continue the conversation on the Never Perfect Faith podcast, where Craig opens up about the redemption that changed everything. Learn more at neverperfect.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 4, 202617 min

Behind the "Normal" Life: Why the People Who Look Fine Are Often Struggling Most

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and suicide attempts, including a teen's overdose, as well as depression and addiction. If you're struggling, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), available 24/7. What do a lonely thirty-seven-year-old, a courageous teenage girl, and a firefighter who nearly ended it all have in common? Each one looked like they were doing fine on the outside  and each was quietly fighting a much harder battle underneath. In this heartfelt Friday-evening reflection, Dr. Beth Capecchi opens up her notebook of "stories waiting to be told." Fresh off three deeply moving therapy sessions, Dr. Beth shares three anonymized client journeys that left her inspired. From a man learning to build real friendships and rediscover his God-given gifts, to a seventeen-year-old who survived a suicide attempt and is now bravely reaching out again, to a preview of a firefighter whose trauma and transformation you'll hear in full on upcoming episodes, these stories are a tender reminder that struggle is often invisible, and healing is always possible. What You'll Learn: Why so many people  especially men  struggle with loneliness, and practical ways to build genuine community How to recognize and affirm the unique gifts in the people around you, especially as a parent, friend, or mentor Why a healthy relationship should expand your calling, not shrink it Dr. Beth's philosophy of "the greatest good for the most people" How multiple painful losses can converge into a crisis and why understanding this builds compassion The courage it takes to reach out again after being bullied, isolated, or broken A moving preview of a firefighter's PTSD and faith journey featured on upcoming episodes Wherever you are today, may these stories remind you that you're not alone, that your struggles don't define you, and that it's never too late to reach out. Take a listen, sit with it, and share it with someone who might need a little hope this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 4, 20261 hr 12 min

Dr. Beth's Unfiltered Family Discussion About Conflict and Assertiveness (in a Messy Kitchen)

Where do you fall on the assertiveness scale — doormat, brutally honest, or somewhere in between? In this completely unscripted episode, Dr. Beth turns the microphone on her own household… and her family does not hold back. What starts as a Saturday-morning kitchen cleanup becomes a hilariously honest (and surprisingly insightful) family therapy session. Recorded spontaneously from her farmers-market-cluttered kitchen, Dr. Beth sits down with her 16 year old daughter and then her 18 year old daughter and husband wandering in along the way to rate each other on assertiveness, reactivity, people-pleasing, and more. (The only one who never joined the conversation was her 20-year-old son.)   Between the laughter, interruptions, and sibling commentary, real wisdom emerges: why "being clear is kind," how people-pleasing blurs your own needs, why every family member processes conflict differently, and whether perfectionism is actually a problem (a debate that gets spirited). It's Never Perfect at its most literal: a real family, in real time, being really honest. In this episode, you'll learn: The 1-10 assertiveness scale and why landing between a 4 and 6 is the healthy sweet spot The three components of true assertiveness: expressing your feelings, saying no, and asking for what you need How people-pleasing and codependency blur your own needs and stress you out in the process Why we project our own standards onto others (and how that quietly damages relationships) The difference between high standards and perfectionism and where all-or-nothing thinking hurts your mental health Why parents should never put a child in just one "box" every family member has strengths and growth areas About This Episode's Guests: This episode features Dr. Beth's own family, proof that even a therapist's household is beautifully, chaotically, never perfect. No experts, no scripts, just a family being honest with each other (sometimes brutally). Connect with Dr. Beth Capecchi and the Never Perfect Podcast at www.neverperfect.org. And for a deeper dive on assertiveness, check out the earlier episode "Straight Talk." Ready to rate yourself? Hit play, grab a family member (if you dare), and ask: where do we each fall on the scale? If this episode made you laugh or think, share it with your family and leave a review, it helps more listeners find the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 2, 202615 min

The Beauty of Doing Things Alone: A Client's Real-Time Breakthrough from Spotlight Syndrome to Self-Confidence

Have you ever skipped a coffee shop, a walk in the park, or even church,  just because you'd have to go alone? For so many of us, the fear of being watched, judged, or talked about keeps us from living the life we actually want. But what if the thoughts we imagine others having about us are the very thing holding us back? In this brief, spontaneous and deeply honest episode, Dr. Beth sits down with a brave 25-year-old client we're calling "Mary." Fresh out of a breakup and new to her city, Mary shares how social anxiety is what Dr. Beth calls "spotlight syndrome"  kept her from exploring life on her own. Then she took one courageous step: walking into church by herself. What happened next changed her entire outlook, and this conversation captures that transformation in real time. In this episode, you'll learn: What "spotlight syndrome" is and why social anxiety convinces us everyone is watching and judging How to challenge automatic negative beliefs by asking, "What positive things could people be thinking?" Why the question "Even if someone did think something bad how would it actually affect me?" is so freeing How facing one small fear can build momentum, confidence, and even carry you through an entire week Why doing things alone can actually open the door to new friendships and community The power of the simple challenge: do one thing every day that scares you About Our Guest: Out of respect for her privacy, this week's guest is sharing her story anonymously as "Mary", a real client of Dr. Beth's who bravely agreed to record just weeks after facing her fear for the first time. Her honesty is a gift to anyone who has ever felt held back by the fear of judgment. For more encouragement and resources from Dr. Beth Capecchi, visit www.neverperfect.org. You can do hard things. If Mary's story resonated with you, we'd love for you to listen, reflect on one thing you've been avoiding out of fear — and maybe take that first brave step this week. Don't forget to share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that they're braver than they think. 💛 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 11, 202646 min

Baby Steps to Big Impact: How to Stop Waiting for "Someday" and Start Living Your Mission with Deb Drummond

Have you ever felt like your dreams are just out of reach, like you're doing all the right things but somehow still scattered, stretched thin, and unsure if it's working? What if the secret isn't doing more, but learning how to do what you already know? In this episode, Dr. Beth sits down with serial entrepreneur, media powerhouse, and dear mentor Deborrah “Deb” Drummond, a woman who has built seven businesses, mentored hundreds of women (and also “cool dudes”) around the world, and lives by the belief that your body is your "most important real estate." Deb opens up about saying yes when life pushes you forward, the difference between a "journey" and "the stretch," and why most people are unintentionally "popcorning" their efforts instead of building with purpose. She explains that while our dreams and our Mission might be exciting and “sexy “, the tedious steps that it takes to get there are often not sexy, and not as dramatic as one might think. From a surprise pregnancy in her twenties that launched her first business, to building Mission Accepted Media and the celebrated 262 movement for women entrepreneurs, Deb shares the wisdom of a life lived intentionally and the faith it takes to keep choosing your path. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why "pick your hard" is the most freeing reframe for entrepreneurs and dreamers alike How to recognize when you're "popcorning" your efforts and how to build a real intentional plan instead The difference between what you do and who you do (and why people buy the second one) How small, consistent baby steps create exponential growth over time Why your body, your inputs, and your community matter as much as your strategy How to build a team and a life rooted in shared values, not just shared skills About Our Guest: Deb Drummond is the founder and visionary behind Mission Accepted Media, the Stand Up, Speak Up, Show Up Yes You women's summits, the Women's Channel, and the bestselling 262 book series spotlighting self-funding women entrepreneurs. A long-time coach, speaker, and media strategist, Deb helps women and the cool dudes in their corner become known not just for what they do, but for who they are. Connect with Deborrah Website: debdrummond.com Podcast: Mission Accepted Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahldrummond If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the "somedays" stacking up on your dream list, this conversation is your permission slip to begin imperfectly, intentionally, and one beautiful baby step at a time. Listen in, take a breath, and remember: you don't have to be perfect to be powerful. If this episode encourages you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it today, and join us at www.neverperfect.org for more conversations on growth, faith, and the courage to keep showing up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

June 1, 202658 min

The Second Spring: Reframing Menopause as a Season of Renewal, Wisdom, and Power with Dr. Suz Bozzone

What if menopause isn't an ending, but the beginning of your finest self? In Japan, the transition is called Konenki — the season of renewal and regeneration, a "second spring" that elevates women into a higher stature of wisdom and influence. Yet here in the West, nearly a third of women consider quitting their careers at the very height of their power, convinced that brain fog, anxiety, and hormonal chaos mean something has gone terribly wrong. Dr. Beth welcomes back Dr. Suzannah (Suz) Bozzone, a board-certified family and lifestyle medicine physician, educator, and opera singer — for an honest, hope-filled deep dive into perimenopause and menopause. Together they unpack the science of the hormonal "orchestra," the neuroplastic transformation of the menopausal brain, and the practical lifestyle shifts that help women not just survive this transition, but step into a new chapter of clarity, leadership, and authentic becoming. What You'll Learn: Why perimenopause is a brain transformation — like puberty in reverse — and what the temporary three-year dip really means for the decade that follows How to picture your hormones as a vocal trio inside a full endocrine orchestra, and why "one pill for every ill" falls short The Japanese concept of Konenki and how reframing this season as renewal, not loss, changes everything The gut–hormone connection: how your microbiome and "estrobolome" shape symptoms, and why 30+ plant species a week matters more than any single superfood Dr. Suz’s signature "crazy salad" — the daily, medicine-like meal that supports estrogen balance Why midlife women are uniquely positioned to lead, and how to advocate for yourself at home, at work, and at the doctor's office About the Guest Dr. Suz Bozzone is a board-certified family and lifestyle medicine physician, speaker, and mom of three who partners with workplaces and women's groups nationwide. Her e-book and journal Chronic Power to Perimenopause releases late May 2026. Connect with Dr. Suz: Website: drsuzb.com Instagram: @drsuzb YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drsuzb Get Konenki: Power to Perimenopause and Beyond If you're navigating puberty in your kids, perimenopause in yourself, or new caregiving roles with aging parents — this episode is a gentle reminder that you are not losing your mind. You are becoming. Press play, take what resonates, and share this with a friend, daughter, mother, or colleague who needs to hear that her finest self is still ahead. Visit neverperfect.org for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 20, 202650 min

Hidden Addictions and Heartaches: Jody Allen on Faith, Forgiveness, and Finding Hope after Divorce

Hidden heartaches and secret struggles with addiction are everywhere, including in the church. What if the family that looks the most "put together" on Sunday morning is the one quietly falling apart by Monday night? Behind matching pajamas, anniversary posts, and small-group Bible studies, so many women are carrying a secret heartache they can't bring themselves to name out loud. In this honest, hope-filled conversation, Dr. Beth sits down with author and women's ministry director Jody Allen to talk about what happens when the marriage you prayed for, prepared for, and did "everything right" to build still doesn't turn out the way you imagined. Jody shares the long, painful road of loving a husband who battled a pornography addiction throughout their marriage, a struggle she discovered was far more common in the church than anyone wanted to admit. From discovery, to counseling, to a treatment center, to the eventual decision to divorce, Jody walks listeners through what God taught her in the valley, why she chose to write Hidden Heartache, and how she found that her life, though different than she planned, could still be deeply good. What You'll Learn: Why so many "hidden heartaches" — addiction, financial stress, mental health struggles, family secrets — worsen in silence, and how telling the truth begins to break shame's grip The staggering statistics about pornography use in the church (including among pastors) and why this conversation can't stay taboo any longer How to parent intentionally around screens, social media, and early exposure — especially when you've walked a hard road yourself Why "comparison is the thief of joy," and how to stop measuring your hardships/heartaches against everyone else's highlight reel The role of Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and Christian community in rewiring a brain — and a heart — that has been hurt Why hope is still possible when life doesn't turn out the way you planned, and how God can use even your hardest season to build your future About the Guest Jody Allen has served on staff at her church for over 12 years, where she leads the First Impressions Team and Women’s Ministry. She is the author of Hidden Heartache: Finding Courage When Your Husband Struggles with Pornography, a book that helps women move from heartbreak to hope. Jody is passionate about helping women experience meaningful connection with Christ and with one another. She is the mom of young adult twins, loves chunky ice cream, still uses a paper calendar, and never turns down a chance to line dance. Connect with Jody: Book: Hidden Heartache Website: jodyallenwrites.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/jodyallenwrites Instagram: www.instagram.com/jodyallenwrites/ Whether you're walking through your own hidden heartache or sitting beside someone who is, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone — and that God meets us most powerfully in the places we feel most broken. Press play, take a deep breath, and let this conversation remind you: your story isn't over, and hope is still on the table. If it speaks to you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 18, 20261 hr 23 min

From Burnout to Breaking Bread: A Teacher's Journey Through Shadow, Silence, and Renewal with David Cook

What happens when the version of you that worked so hard in the morning of life no longer fits the afternoon? When the criticism becomes too heavy, the certainty starts to crack, and your body quietly tells you it's time to listen differently? For David Cook, a beloved teacher, longtime columnist, and founder of Food as a Verb — the answer began with silence, humility, and the courage to turn over his own stones. In this deeply honest conversation, Dr. Beth sits down with David Cook to explore burnout, self-righteousness, shadow work, parenting through fear, the inner work of masculinity, and how contentment quietly outlasts every metric of success. David shares the moment he realized he had been "blinded by the log in his own eye," what teenagers are really aching for today, and how he rebuilt a life — and a media company — around food, story, and presence. What You'll Learn Why fear (not failure) is the hidden root of most parenting and teaching mistakes — and what to do about it How shadow work and "turning over your own stones" leads to deeper relationships and clearer purpose What David means by descending "below the neck" — and why so many men have never been invited to do it How to redefine success as contentment, generational healing, and a freer version of who you are Why trust, safety, and powerful questions transform a classroom (and a home) more than control ever could The "rhino in the room" practice — learning to name what no one else is willing to say out loud About the Guest David Cook is a writer, former English teacher at McCallie School, GPS, and Saint Margaret's, and the founder of Food as a Verb — a Chattanooga-based media company telling rich, soul-level stories about food, farming, chefs, and the land. His work invites readers to slow down, exhale, and remember what it means to be human at the table. Connect with David Cook Email: david@foodasaverb.com Website: foodasaverb.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foodasaverb/ If you've ever felt the quiet pull of midlife asking you to choose again, or wondered whether the rules you've been playing by still fit who you're becoming, this episode is for you. Press play, take a breath, and let David's words remind you that freedom, meaning, and a truer version of yourself are still waiting on the other side of your honesty. If this conversation moves you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and visit neverperfect.org for more conversations that celebrate growth, faith, and the beautiful imperfection of being human. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 5, 20261 hr 10 min

Pulling the Hell Out of Humanity: How One Man Traded His Empire for a Calling with Paul Hutchinson

What if the very things that made you successful were quietly destroying you from the inside out? Paul Hutchinson built a $50 billion empire, married an NFL cheerleader, and rescued thousands of children from trafficking — yet found himself emptier than ever. In this raw and remarkable conversation, he reveals how the same darkness he was fighting in others (arrogance, greed, and lust) had quietly taken root in his own heart. Dr. Beth sits down with entrepreneur, philanthropist, and child rescue advocate Paul Hutchinson — the real-life inspiration behind Sound of Freedom — for an unflinching conversation about transformation. Paul shares the story behind 70+ undercover rescue missions, the late-night phone call that began his journey of healing, and the powerful truth that we can't pull children out of hell until we pull the hell out of ourselves. What You'll Learn: Why the common thread among traffickers isn't what you'd expect — and what it reveals about unhealed trauma in all of us How generational and epigenetic trauma shapes us long before we're old enough to remember The science of neuroplasticity and why childhood wounds become so hard to heal as adults Why doing "good things" with the wrong motives can quietly destroy your life, marriage, and identity How to take a personal inventory of arrogance, greed, and lust — and what real healing actually requires Practical tools (breathwork, meditation, faith, self-defense, art therapy) for healing children and adults walking through trauma About Our Guest: Paul Hutchinson is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the primary investor and executive producer of the film Sound of Freedom. He founded the Child Liberation Foundation and Liberating Humanity, and has led or participated in over 70 undercover rescue missions in 15 countries — directly impacting more than 8,000 children. He is a recipient of the 2022 Medal of Freedom Award. Today, alongside his wife Vanessa, he hosts sanctuary healing retreats around the world for trauma survivors, leaders, and those ready to break free of what's holding them back. Website: liberatinghumanity.com Book: Sound of Freedom Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liberating.humanity YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Liberatinghumanity Whether you've walked through trauma, struggled with what success was supposed to feel like, or sensed that God is calling you toward something deeper — this episode is for you. Take a listen, share it with someone who needs hope today, and remember Paul's closing reminder: when you put the man (or woman) together, the whole world comes together with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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