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

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].

Could I, Would I, Donate a Kidney? A Living Donor’s Perspective

What if you knew that donating a kidney isn’t as extreme - or as impossible - as it sounds? In this episode, Elizabeth sits down with Liz Nelson for an honest, deeply personal conversation about her decision to do just that. Liz shares her experience as a living kidney donor, offering a transparent look at what the kidney donation process actually involves — physically, emotionally, and logistically. Rather than positioning the decision as heroic or extraordinary, she aims to demystify organ donation and help others better understand what’s possible. Together, they move beyond the initial question of “could I?” into the more personal reality of “would I?” — unpacking the motivations, misconceptions, and practical considerations that come with becoming a living organ donor. As conversations around organ donation and transplant waitlists continue to grow, this episode offers a grounded, human perspective on generosity, agency, and informed choice. This isn’t about pressure or persuasion. It’s about expanding awareness — and inviting a more open, curious look at what it really means to give. Show Notes: * You can learn about the National Kidney Registry’s innovative voucher program at NKR.org [https://www.kidneyregistry.com/for-donors/voucher-program/]. Visit the National Kidney Donation Organization [https://www.nkdo.org/] for more general information about living kidney donation. Check out Kidney.org [http://kidney.org] for a great resource on kidney health. * The documentary Liz mentioned is Confessions of a Good Samaritan [https://www.netflix.com/title/81920795], available on Netflix. * Sue Heilbronner’s blog post about kidney donation [https://www.heysue.com/blog/are-you-game-to-be-a-living-kidney-donor/] is where Liz’s journey began. You can see Sue's own post about Liz's decision here [https://www.heysue.com/blog/what-jesse-eisenberg-and-my-colleague-have-in-common/]. * You can connect with Liz at www.essarynelson.com [http://www.essarynelson.com], or on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-e-nelson/].  Hear more Imperfectly Honest perspectives at www.imperfectlyhonest.com [http://www.imperfectlyhonest.com].