The Perfectors

Latest Episodes:

Episode 55: Motherhood Abroad with Tarin Tesfaye Sep 05, 2016

Show notes

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to parent in a developing nation? Do you ever like to peer through the window of other worlds and observe how parenting plays out? On Episode 55, co-host Leslie grabs the mic in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and sits down with Tarin Tesfaye, an American woman living and mothering in a culture very different from the one we experience here in the United States. Listen in as she shares what it's like to live in a mud hut on her in-law's family compound, the challenges and joys she finds in her everyday life with her husband and son, and her pulse on the world refugee crisis as an employee of ZOA, an NGO that focuses on helping internally displaced people, host populations, returnees, and a large population of refugees who fled a lethal combination of violence and drought in Somalia, conflict in South Sudan, and human rights violations in Eritrea. To view complete Show Notes, visit www.mamabeardarespodcast.com.

Episode 54: A Mama Bear Review of BAD MOMS Aug 31, 2016

Show notes

"You messed with my daughter and now I will have to fight you in the Trader Joe's parking lot." You guys! Even bad moms — we're pretty sure we're all bad moms — seek justice for their children and protect their young! Though co-hosts Tesi and Leslie would never condone fighting anyone in the Trader Joe's parking lot or elsewhere, they can't help but laugh with this Bad Moms movie moment. On this episode of the podcast, the co-hosts unpack their views of the movie Bad Moms, including this Mama Bear moment and many more. The two sisters enjoy their first movie review, as well as two segments meant to console and encourage: Leslie gets vulnerable in So What Happened Was... and the sisters unload some everyday hilarity and self-reflection in Things We Should Probably Feel Guilty About, But Don't... Sometimes we need a reminder, even from the cataclysmic and sometimes questionable force of Hollywood, that we can laugh! So let's laugh! This episode dares you to belly laugh down the aisle of life and to be YOU in all of your imperfect glory. For complete Show Notes, visit www.mamabeardarespodcast.com.

Episode 53: Bearing Hope with Liv Ryan Aug 29, 2016

Show notes

On Episode 53 of Mama Bear Dares, Tesi and Leslie talk to Liv Ryan, a mother, a yoga instructor, an early-riser, a survivor, and an author. Liv has written a book call Bearing Hope: Navigating the Desert of Waiting for a Child and the three women discuss what got Liv to this place and the reasons why she decided to turn her experience of waiting and "the desert of infertility" into a practical book meant to guide and encourage others who may similarly be diving through the depths. After a conversation that covers topics ranging from grief, personal struggle, relationships, risks, and healing, the women leave listeners with a DARE and encourage the strugglers among us to be open to wisdom and to learn from Liv's tremendous strength, optimism, and honesty. For complete Show Notes, visit HERE. Other topics discussed: The language of griefHoly yoga, healing practice, and self careThe power of community"Project-based waiting"Preparing our kids for a life of love and imperfectionThe practicalities and joys of downsizing

How to Dodge Double-Dealing & Trickery During Late Summer & Always Aug 24, 2016

Show notes

Ever wonder how the women around you seem to get all the things done? Ever wish parenting had a playbook where rules were hard and fast and yes's and no's were easy to determine? On Episode 52 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, co-hosts Tesi and Leslie dive into both, first with an Ask Us Anything segment during which they tackle a listener question and then in a segment (We Read It, We Loved It, Let's Discuss) in which they discuss their own philosophy and daily practice of standard yes's and no's. After a lively discussion full of examples and solutions, the women wrap up the Mama Bear Mini with a segment called Maybe It's Meditation, detailing their current meditation practice and what their noticing as a result. View full Show Noter on the Mama Bear Dares website!

Episode 51: Give Your Child the World with Jamie C. Martin Aug 22, 2016

Show notes

On this episode of Mama Bear Dares, Tesi and Leslie talk to Jamie C. Martin, a mother, an avid reader, a homeschooler, a world traveler, and a witness to the terrible tragedy that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012. Jamie has written a book that the sister-hosts absolutely love and think you will, too! The women discuss Give Your Child the World: Raising Globally Minded Kids One Book at a Time and the ways in which we can help our children develop empathy and compassion through literature and story. After a conversation that covers topics ranging from the gift of public libraries to dealing with tragedy alongside children to the dynamic appeal of list-making to the beauty of our enormous world, the women leave listeners with a DARE encouraging listeners to think about their own story and the stories of others, using the collective narratives to give children the gift of uplifting, beautiful, redemptive tales as a shield from the world's cynicism and a springboard to a life of love and compassion. For full Show Notes, head to www.MamaBearDaresPodcast.com. Other points discussed: Our shared love of books!Homeschooling and intentional educationThe power of STORYParenting through tragedyHow/Why to emphasize global-mindedness in your American household today

Episode 50: Love & More Love (Leslie Wrote A Book!) Aug 17, 2016

Show notes

You guys! Our very own co-host wrote a book! It's called Mama Bear's Manifesto and it's available for pre-order on Amazon! Leslie and Tesi spend the podcast talking about the basic idea of the Mama Bear lurking inside each of us and celebrate the arrival of Leslie's book in the world. Their excitement is real! After all, the Manifesto shares the message of this podcast: We are powerful. We are ferocious. We are perfectly positioned to wreak havoc on this world! You're going to love seeing this spelled out on the page! Within their celebration, the co-hosts discuss the power of female friendship and the way Mama Bear's Manifesto aims to encourage women to use their relationships and their incredible capacity to love in big and bold ways, all the while encouraging listeners to identify the strength of their own Mama Bear and make the decision to use her power for good. They discuss Leslie's writing process and get real about the making of the book. In both big and small ways we are meant to live authentic, LOVE-filled lives. It's a bonus when you uncover your Mama Bear and begin training her for a better world. As the book and the podcast both enthusiastically declare, it's the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world! Check out complete Show Notes here. Pre-order Leslie's book, Mama Bear's Manifesto, by clicking here!

Episode 49: Mothering & Mental Illness with Cathy Engstrom Aug 15, 2016

Show notes

On Episode 49 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, co-hosts Tesi and Leslie speak to Cathy Engstrom, a mom of three, a runner, and an all-around lovely woman. As the women discuss Cathy's life, they focus on the strength she has shown while parenting one child with a learning disability and one child with mental illness. Cathy is honest about both the struggle and the beauty of being a mom to kids who require her Mama Bear to advocate on their behalf every single day. The women celebrate the engaged Mama Bear who is awake not only to the larger world around her, but who realizes that changing the world starts at home. Cathy offers a unique perspective, incredible wisdom, and hope to mothers who are struggling through the ups and downs of parenting children with various needs. Visit www.mamabeardarespodcast.com for complete Show Notes. Other topics discussed on the podcast: How to approach teachers, school administrators, and your child's school district as a whole, even when it seems overwhelming to do soDepression, anxiety, attachment disorders, dyslexia, and dysgraphiaThe importance of allowing yourself to grieve if a child is diagnosed with a disability or illnessThe importance of self care (hint: People magazine for the win!)The dignity and relief of being honest when it comes to talking about the circumstances of mental illness within your communityThe ways we can help other mothers who are caring for children with a diagnosis

Episode 48: Sorry, Not Sorry Aug 10, 2016

Show notes

Ever wish you could be a bit more forthcoming in putting your ideas and values into the world? Do you ever find yourself apologizing for things that don't merit an "I'm sorry"? On Episode 48 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, co-hosts Tesi and Leslie dive into both issues, first with an Ask Us Anything segment during which they tackle a listener question and then in a segment (Things That Make You Go Hmmm...) in which they talk about the way women often overuse the words "I'm sorry." After a lively discussion full of examples and solutions, the women wrap up the Mama Bear Mini with an Obsesh Sesh, detailing their current favorites. Visit the Mama Bear Dares Podcast website for complete Show Notes.

Episode 47: Contentment is a Unicorn with Melanie Dale Aug 08, 2016

Show notes

On Episode 48 of the Mama Bear Dares Podcast, co-hosts Tesi and Leslie talk to Melanie Dale about her new book It's Not Fair: Learning to Love the Life You Didn't Choose. The three women discuss coping mechanisms (both healthy and harmful), bearing hope during difficult periods, and the healing power of laughter when all you want to do is cry. As they explore the themes of loss and hardship, the women also discuss the ways in which we can be good friends to those who are suffering around us and how we might better express ourselves in times of personal darkness. The conversation is honest, uplifting, and filled with lighthearted moments. Tune in to learn more about author and mother Melanie and learn from her unique wisdom encouraging women to move through difficult times with courage and steadfast faith. For complete Show Notes, head to www.MamaBearDaresPodcast.com.

Episode 46: The Great American Clothing Fast Aug 03, 2016

Show notes

So many of us are careful consumers and stewards of the earth. We make sure to recycle, we purchase locally sourced—even organic—foods, and check products for BPA and red dye, but we often pay less attention to where our clothing comes from, who produces it, and what it's made of. Today, the co-hosts respond to Episode 45: The Management, Organization, & Coordination of Stuff and Why We'd Rather Eat Pie, in which Leslie and Tesi interview Jennie Barnds and discuss our consumer habits and the physical "stuff" that we all have so much of. The women talk about the KonMari Method of decluttering and take it a step further by exploring our spiritual relationship to physical things. In Episode 46, Tesi and Leslie continue the conversation and discuss Leslie's extreme response to a fantastic book. Published in 2012, Over-Dressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline inspired Leslie to engage on a yearlong clothing fast. The women spend time talking about what she learned and offering tips to listeners who might be encouraged to take back the power of the purse and make big or small changes that impact their closets, peace of mind, and, ultimately, the world we live in. For links and complete Show Notes, visit the Mama Bear Dares website.

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