The Perfectors

Latest Episodes:

Episode 75: Politics: Don't Let Them Paralyze, Allow Them to Propel Nov 11, 2016

Show notes

Regardless of the vote that you cast on Election Tuesday (which was two days ago, as of this podcast release), you're likely shaken by the months and months of drama and rhetoric leading up to the day and perhaps deeply surprised by the result. On Episode 75 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, co-hosts Tesi and Leslie discuss Tuesday's election honestly and with great vulnerability in hope of sorting through their own feelings, fears, and pain, all the while encouraging listeners to heal and move through this period with grace and love. Ultimately, they believe that Mama Bear is having her moment. She might be angry. She might be baffled. She might be thrilled or surprised by her own feelings. This podcast encourages all of us — no matter who you voted for — to access their Mama Bear for good. For complete Show Notes, visit www.mamabeardares.com.

Episode 74: Faith, Love, & Fidelity with Katherine Willis Pershey Nov 07, 2016

Show notes

On Episode 74 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie talk to Katherine Willis Pershey, a mother, pastor, thinker, and author, about what it's like to feel the temptation of an extra-marital affair and then process that temptation within her relationship to her husband, her children, her church, and the larger world. The three women—each of whom has been married to their respective spouses for approximately 14 years—discuss our culture and how it impacts the way we live out our vows. Tesi and Leslie listen as Katherine opens up about her near-infidelity, about the hard work of marriage and the beauty and challenge of a sacred covenant, and the healing and growing process that resulted in an honest, candid book called Very Married: Field Notes on Love and Fidelity. For complete Show Notes, visit www.mamabeardarespodcast.com.

Episode 73: 10 Things White Moms Can Do To Fight Racism & Spread Love Nov 02, 2016

Show notes

On Episode 73 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, co-hosts Tesi and Leslie discuss privilege, racism, and 10 ways they believe white moms can use their privilege to fight racism and spread love. They trust that the podcast community is a safe place to express their observations, experiences, and beliefs about this topic and humbly ask readers to consider their perspective, poke holes in their theories, and promise to journey together to make a better tomorrow. Lovers of actionable steps and lists, Leslie and Tesi come up with 10 tangible ways to engage their Mama Bear in this fight. The 10 steps are listed below; for complete details and explanation, listen in! For complete Show Notes, visit our website!

Episode 72: Living & Loving Local with Amanda Simkin Oct 31, 2016

Show notes

On Episode 72 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie talk to Amanda Simkin, the woman behind the popular Chicago blog, Queen of the Land of Twigs and Berries. Amanda is a thirty-something coffee and wine drinker raising two boys with a simple goal of exploring and enjoying her hometown through the eyes of her children and helping the new mamas who look to her for parenting advice and adventure. Together, the women talk about what makes place an important element of who we are as people, about the importance of re-discovering and nurturing our true selves, and why Amanda believes that an engaged Mama Bear lives local. It's a delightful conversation that reflects life in the city ... it's boisterous and exciting, but holds deep pockets of wisdom, connection, and love. For full Show Notes, please visit www.mamabeardarespodcast.com.

Episode 71: Let's Lighten Up Oct 26, 2016

Show notes

It's been getting a little hot in here. Tesi and Leslie have recorded a string of Mama Bear Minis focusing on the hard work of marriage, on the rampant rape culture prevalent here in the U.S.A., and how racism plays out in our homes and our responsibility as Mama Bears to do our best to squash it. Because of the serious nature of these episodes, the hosts decided they needed a little break from the intensity and talk about lighter fare on Episode 71, specifically, books, television, and food. Listen in as they do their best to embrace a little levity. For entire Show Notes, visit www.mamabeardarespodcast.com.

Episode 70: You Deserve to be Healthy & Well with Dr. Nicole Rankins Oct 24, 2016

Show notes

On Episode 70 of the Mama Bear Dares podcast, Tesi and Leslie talk to OB-GYN and health coach Nicole Rankins about pregnancy, birth, and the long road of taking good care of ourselves throughout the many stages of life. The women dive into the state of healthcare in the United States of America and grasp a practical understanding of the nuances through Nicole's experience and examples. The three spend the hour discussing they why and how of healthcare and learn from Dr. Rankins as she advocates for women becoming the expert on their own lives. For complete Show Notes, visit www.mamabeardares.com.

Episode 69: How to Survive 14 Years of Marriage Oct 19, 2016

Show notes

It's one thing to stand at the altar dressed in your very best and tie the knot with your beloved in front of family and friends. It's another to live with your betrothed day in and day out for the next 14...25...50 years. On Episode 69 of the Mama Bear Dares podcasts, the hosts speak honestly about what marriage requires of two individuals hoping to make a life together. They sort through gender differences, how a union can become complicated by changes (jobs and kids, to name a few), and the enormous and unavoidable impact that the American culture has on the way we marry and (do our best to) stay married. It's a complex partnership that can be beautiful, but that is not always all that sexy. Co-hosts Leslie and Tesi tackle these ideas and then jump into a special marriage edition of a fan-favorite: Things We Should Probably Feel Guilty About But Don't. Check out the Mama Bear Dares website for complete Show Notes!

Episode 68: Get it Together with Eirene Heidelberger Oct 17, 2016

Show notes

On Episode 68 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, Tesi and Leslie talk to Eirene Heidelberger, the CEO and founder of GITMom, a full-service parent coaching and advice company that endeavors to empower moms by offering effective parenting techniques and help with common parenting battles. Though Eirene has been frequently featured in the national news media, on today's podcast the women get intimate while sitting down in Eirene's home as she opens up to discuss her childhood, her struggles with new motherhood, her frustrations and her hopes, and the way she found her way to becoming the thriving woman, mother, and business owner that she is today. Here's a secret: very few of us arrive at motherhood with complete understanding and a full knowledge of what it will be like. Sometimes we simply need a hand to hold or a tribe to join in order to catch glimpses of light. Eirene, Tesi, and Leslie hold a discussion that will contribute to that sunshine...offering hope, understanding, and a few practical tips on life in the trenches. Complet Show Notes can be found HERE.

Episode 67: Rape Culture (and Why We Can't NOT Talk About It) Oct 13, 2016

Show notes

On today's special episode, Tesi and Leslie explore a topic that they touched in Episode 30 but believe warrants further discussion because of recent news events. On this episode, the co-hosts discuss rape culture—what it means, how it's perpetuated, who's at fault, how it plays out in our lives, and the repercussions for us as women and moms. Ultimately, the two hope that by engaging in the conversation in the safe space of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, they will encourage listeners to engage their Mama Bear and help move the dial forward toward a safer world. Main points include the following. Head to the Mama Bear Dares Podcast website for complete Show Notes. A definition of rape cultureA discussion of what rape culture has been and how it continues to be perpetuatedThe repercussions — on all of us — for living in this cultureHow moms of boys can help squash rape cultureHow moms of girls can help squash rape culture

Episode 66: You Should Do That! 5 Steps to Pursuing Your Passion Oct 12, 2016

Show notes

On this Mama Bear Mini, co-hosts Leslie and Tesi announce the winner of the bundle of Leslie's new release, Mama Bear's Manifesto: A Moms' Group Guide to Changing the World. After celebrating this listener and her thoughtful comment, the women discuss Leslie's publishing journey in depth, pulling out five steps that might make listeners a bit closer to publishing their book, pursuing their passion, or following their dream. The hosts encourage listeners who have ideas for books, blogs, or businesses, but have yet to put pen to paper. Always encouragers, Tesi and Leslie hope listeners will learn from Leslie's journey and embrace their own exciting pursuit! For complete details and Show Notes, visit our website!

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