When to Sanitize and When to Let It Go: A Microbiologist’s Guide to Disease Prevention, Germ Anxiety, and Choosing Love Over Fear

What Women Find Attractive: Confidence, Curiosity, and Unexpected Turn-Ons

What makes someone attractive? Is it confidence? Physical chemistry? Shared values? Emotional intelligence? In this episode of Imperfectly Honest, Elizabeth is joined by her friend and Imperfectly Honest partner in crime, Kayla Gorski, to explore the psychology of attraction, modern dating, relationship compatibility, and the surprising qualities that create lasting connection. From confidence and curiosity to self-awareness and emotional intelligence, they unpack what women really find attractive—and how those preferences evolve over time. Drawing from their own dating experiences, conversations about dating after divorce, and reflections on healthy relationships, Elizabeth and Kayla discuss why attraction is often about far more than physical appearance.  Together, they discuss: * Green flags, turn-ons, and unexpected relationship dynamics that influence who we choose to build a life with * Why curiosity may be one of the most attractive traits in a partner * The difference between confidence, self-worth, and arrogance * Dating after divorce and navigating major life transitions * Why close friendships matter in romantic relationships * Masculine and feminine dynamics in modern dating * The role self-awareness plays in attraction and compatibility * How attraction evolves as we grow and change Whether you're actively dating, navigating a breakup, re-entering the dating world after divorce, or simply curious about human behavior, this conversation offers an honest look at attraction, relationships, confidence, and what truly creates connection. Show Notes: Deepen your connection with food and yourself by visiting Kayla’s Substack at substack.com/@kaylagorski [http://substack.com/@kaylagorski].  Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com [http://www.imperfectlyhonest.com].

When to Sanitize and When to Let It Go: A Microbiologist’s Guide to Disease Prevention, Germ Anxiety, and Choosing Love Over Fear

For many people, the pandemic changed more than just daily routines – it changed the way we think about safety, health, and germs. What starts as “being careful” can slowly become something heavier: contamination anxiety, obsessive cleaning, fear of getting sick, and stress that quietly impacts everyday life. In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with microbiologist and department head at Montana State University, Jovanka Voyich [https://www.montana.edu/mbi/directory/1524709/jovanka-voyich], for an honest and nuanced conversation about germs, hygiene, immune health, and the balance between protecting ourselves and still fully living. Together, they discuss: * How the pandemic triggered contamination anxiety and OCD-like behaviors for many people * What actually matters when it comes to staying healthy * Common misconceptions about germs and hygiene * Hand washing, sanitizers, gyms, public spaces, and household cleanliness * Why some exposure to germs may actually support immune health * The mental and emotional cost of living in constant fear This episode is not about dismissing health concerns — it’s about finding balance, reducing shame, and learning how to stay informed without letting fear take over your life. If you’ve ever wondered whether your “healthy habits” may have crossed into anxiety, this conversation is for you. Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com [http://www.imperfectlyhonest.com].

Mother’s Day Special: An Honest Conversation About Our Moms

For some, Mother’s Day is a pure celebration. For others, it's grief, or just a day that's not quite easy peasy. Sometimes it's all of those things at once. If Mother's Day has ever felt more complex than the greeting cards suggest, this one is for you. In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with friend and fellow climate advocate, Max Scheder-Bieschin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-scheder-bieschin/], who recently lost his mother. Max shares the lessons his mother left him, the things he wishes he'd said, and how she shaped the man he's become. Elizabeth brings her own truth about her loving relationship with her mother, and her own set of questions as well. Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com [http://www.imperfectlyhonest.com/].

Are Women Playing the Wrong Game in Business? Rethinking Power, Femininity, and Success

Should women use their looks, femininity, or sexuality to get ahead?  In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with CEO, investor, and author Jane Miller for a bold, unfiltered conversation about gender inequality, female leadership, and what it really takes to succeed as a woman in business and in love today.  Is gender inequality a problem – or could it also be an opportunity? And more provocatively: are women fully leveraging their strengths, or holding back to fit outdated expectations of success? For decades, women have been taught to succeed by playing according to male-dominated rules – competing harder, leading similarly, and minimizing femininity in the workplace. But what if that strategy is fundamentally flawed?  Elizabeth and Jane explore the complex reality of power dynamics in business and dating, and why the same patterns – competition, insecurity, and perception – are at play in both.  They dive into: * The hidden rules of success for women in male-dominated environments * Why women often compete with, rather than support, each other * Confidence as the foundation of leadership and long-term success * The nuanced question of leveraging beauty, sexuality, and femininity in business * The personal cost of “making it” and the tradeoffs women aren’t always told about * The mindset shift from scarcity to abundance—and how to “run your own race” This episode goes beyond surface-level conversations about equality to offer a more honest, nuanced look at how women can navigate power, identity, and ambition without abandoning themselves in the process. Show Notes: Connect with Jane and tune into her podcast at https://janesplace.com/ [https://janesplace.com/].  Consider picking up a copy of Jane’s book, Sleep Your Way to the Top and Other Myths About Business Success via your favorite book retailer.  Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com [http://www.imperfectlyhonest.com].

An Honest Conversation About Body Image, Beauty Standards, and the Truth About Wanting to Look Good

In this episode of Imperfectly Honest, Elizabeth sits down with Kayla Gorski for a candid – and at times uncomfortable – conversation about body image, beauty standards, and the truth about wanting to look good. For many of us, thoughts about our bodies are constant, yet conversations about body image, self-image, and body confidence often stay surface-level. Together, Elizabeth and Kayla go deeper, exploring the internal “mental inventory” we keep and the evolving relationship we have with how we look and feel in our bodies. This conversation doesn’t stop at self-acceptance. They also examine the very real benefits of striving toward conventional beauty standards – from increased confidence and discipline, to feeling more energized, more attractive, and more connected to desire. What happens when looking good isn’t just about appearance, but rather is about motivation and how you move through the world? From disciplined routines and slipping back into old habits, to the way attraction, confidence, and even libido are tied to the physical self, they explore the tension between accepting yourself as you are and wanting to be better. This chat doesn’t promise easy answers, perfect solutions, or total body confidence. Instead, it offers an honest reflection on the complicated and sometimes contradictory relationship many of us have with our bodies – and the curiosity it takes to examine those patterns with compassion. Show Notes: Deepen your connection with food by visiting Kayla’s Substack at substack.com/@kaylagorski [http://substack.com/@kaylagorski], or tuning into the Dish + Tell podcast on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/5vvPwRzAYIpmndXKRPL2kr?si=27d24a227fea435e], Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dish-tell/id1877823593], or YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DishAndTellOfficial].