The Perfectly Imperfect Journey

No Expectations with Amber Melanie Smith

Amber Melanie Smith discovered her passion for giving back at a young age, which led to the creation of a nonprofit organization that mobilized over 50,000 volunteers to make a difference in their communities. While deeply committed to this mission, Amber began to feel the weight of burnout. It wasn’t until she took a step back that she realized she was no longer connected to the work that truly lit her up.

This episode explores what it means to follow your passion, even when it requires making tough decisions, and the importance of redefining success on your own terms.

Bio:

Amber Melanie Smith is a speaker, award-winning nonprofit founder, social entrepreneur, and creator of the Changemaker Accelerator. Through a growing online community of changemakers, speaking, and educational content, Amber helps people create their roadmap to a life and career that creates positive social change. In college, Amber took off on a 3 month cross-country road trip with her best friend to volunteer in over 20 states. When she returned home, she launched Activate Good, a nonprofit that has since mobilized over 50,000 volunteers to help hundreds of causes. Amber’s writing about social impact, service, and leadership has appeared in Fast Company, the Philanthropy Journal, and other media. In 2017, Amber was appointed a commissioner on the NC Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service by NC Governor Roy Cooper. In 2019, Amber launched a YouTube channel to help educate people on starting and growing a successful nonprofit organization or social enterprise, which has since reached 70,000 changemakers around the world.

Website: https://ambermelaniesmith.com/ 

Choosing Choice with Sherry Essig

In this heartfelt and transformative episode of The Perfectly Imperfect Journey, the tables turn as Sherry Essig steps into the spotlight—not as interviewer, but as the guest. Sherry opens her heart to share the story behind the person you regularly hear as co-host.

From grappling with feelings of not belonging to the quiet moments of realization that changed her life, Sherry takes us on her journey of transformation. It’s a story of self-discovery, of learning to trust her instincts, and of uncovering the life she was meant to lead.  

Through her vulnerability and wisdom, Sherry reminds us that life isn’t about grand gestures or perfect plans—it’s about making one intentional choice at a time. It’s about courageously stepping toward what feels right, even when it’s hard.

This episode is an invitation to reflect on your own path and to consider: Who are you meant to be?  Sherry reminds us the sum of all of our experiences lead us through our perfectly imperfect journey in life.  Join us for a conversation that is equal parts raw, hopeful, and inspiring—just like Sherry herself.

Bio

Sherry Essig is an executive and life coach and the founder of Flow Dynamix, where she helps clients courageously stop settling for less than success and happiness — because the two are not mutually exclusive. She believes that your professional career and personal life are two interconnected parts of the whole that is you: personal development is professional development.

After 15 years in public accounting and corporate roles, Sherry launched Flow Dynamix in 1994. She holds a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential, a CPA license (inactive), and is an accredited Enneagram Practitioner through Integrative 9 Enneagram Solutions.

Blending deep business expertise with coaching techniques, yoga principles, positive psychology, and the transformative power of the Enneagram — sprinkled with a dash of humor — Sherry equips her clients to embrace growth, resilience, and boldness. Her work empowers them to expand their awareness and create a life where success and happiness thrive together.

Website: www.flow-dynamix.com

Losing the Armor and Finding Herself with Anne Robie

For the past four years, Anne Robie has been a steady voice in the co-host seat. But today, she steps into the spotlight as our guest in this deeply personal and inspiring episode.

Anne shares how an unexpected, life-altering event left her reeling—and how it became the catalyst for a profound journey of self-discovery. With vulnerability as her guide, Anne shed the armor she had carried for years and began moving through life as her true, authentic self — both personally and as a leader in the corporate world.

In this conversation, Anne opens up about the freedom she found in letting go of the need to appear like she always had it together. She reflects on the power of leading with courage, empathy, and self-awareness, and what it truly means to embrace authenticity in leadership and life.

This episode is an invitation to reflect on your own journey—on what you might need to let go of to reveal your truest and most impactful self. It's a heart-opening dialogue filled with wisdom, humor, and unfiltered truth.

Bio

Anne Robie: Consultant | Speaker | Spiritual Pragmatist

Anne is a speaker, consultant, and writer currently working on her first book about authentic leadership.  With over 25 years of Human Resources experience, Anne combines her deep understanding of mindfulness, authenticity, and the human side of business to craft compelling narratives that inspire and educate.

Anne draws from her extensive expertise in leadership, team dynamics and living life as a human on this planet. She explores themes such as:

• Authenticity
• Vulnerability
• Spirituality and leadership
• And, occasionally,, whatever else is on her mind

Anne’s teachings center on mindfulness, authenticity, and connecting with people in meaningful ways. Her passion for cultivating genuine connections and her ability to engage audiences on a profound level make her a unique and impactful voice in leadership and personal development.

A Perfectly Imperfect Milestone

Four years ago, we launched our little podcast baby into the world. Back then, we couldn’t have imagined reaching this centennial achievement. But here we are—100 episodes later! It’s been a journey filled with learning, growth, and connection. Listen in as Anne and Sherry reflect on the wisdom we’ve gained from our inspiring guests and the powerful stories shared by our incredible listeners. Each conversation has shaped us, and together, we’ve explored what it means to be perfectly imperfect in an ever-evolving world.

Join us as we celebrate this milestone, honor the extraordinary community we’ve built, and look ahead to the next chapter of this journey. Cheers to 100 episodes—and the many more adventures to come!

Embrace the Different with Robin Berning

In this week's episode, Robin Berning shares her powerful story of overcoming addiction and embracing the very differences that once made her feel isolated. Throughout her life, Robin often felt out of place, questioning her place in the world. However, through moments of deep reflection and personal growth, Robin came to realize that those things that made her different were actually her strengths. 

Robin opens up about the key moments that helped her fully accept and embrace her unique path. She explains how leaning into what sets us apart—whether it’s our life experiences, challenges, or spiritual journeys—can become a source of profound growth and transformation. Her story serves as a testament to the power of self-acceptance and the freedom it brings. Robin shares valuable insights on how embracing our individuality can lead to more authentic, fulfilling lives, where obstacles turn into opportunities for empowerment and deeper connection with others.

 

Bio:

Growing up in a home shaped by the journey of recovery, Robin Berning became aware at an early age of both the pull and dangers of addiction. Despite this awareness, she faced her own challenges with addiction in her teens. At 39, a life-changing decision brought her to a program of recovery, where she embraced a new path.

Now, 17 years sober, Robin is living her best life! She views life not as the school of hard knocks, but as a school of opportunity and growth. Today, as the owner of her own business, she works as an Advanced Certified Life & Spiritual Life Coach and a Classical Feng Shui Consultant.

Robin helps others find themselves and step confidently into their truth, empowered and ready to thrive in an ever-changing world.

https://livingyourbliss.net/

The Wave with Dr. Shayna Kaufmann

Life throws both joy and challenges our way - it's how we respond that truly shapes our experiences. This week, Dr. Shayna Kaufmann dives deep into her own story and the art of riding life's emotional waves. She shares the hidden cost of resistance, the pain of ignoring our struggles, and the trap of clinging too tightly to the good moments. Despite her many successes, Shayna found true peace when she learned to let go and embrace every emotion, from anxiety to happiness.  Shayna’s journey led her to focus on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women in middle age. From navigating the shifting dynamics of self-identity to redefining purpose in both personal and professional lives, she explores how this stage of life can be a powerful time of transformation. Tune in as Shayna shares her #PerfectlyImperfect journey and teaches us all how to ride the wave.

 

Bio:

Dr. Shayna Kaufmann is a clinical psychologist, certified mindfulness meditation teacher, decades-long Zen practitioner, and Founder of Embrace the Middle—a company dedicated to serving women in midlife. Dr. Kaufmann is also a published researcher, a community leader, popular speaker, and former faculty at Alliant International University and National University. She lives in San Diego with her husband Eric and dog Nola, and treasures visits from their daughters, Tara and Maya.

Website: https://www.embracethemiddle.com/

The Power of Paws

In this episode, we dive into the profound lessons our furry friends teach us daily. From gratitude to unconditional love, animals show us the qualities we often neglect in our fast-paced lives. Sherry and Anne share personal stories about our own pets and explore how caring for any living being—whether a pet, a garden, or another person—enriches our lives in deeply meaningful ways. 

The Life Brief with Bonnie Wan

Which mountain are you climbing? That’s the exact question Bonnie Wan asked herself when her life hit a crisis point, both at work and at home. Instead of staying stuck, Bonnie went all in—taking the same tools she mastered as an Advertising Strategy Director and turning them inward. The result? She created a Life Brief—a no-holds-barred roadmap to how she truly wanted to live. And she didn’t just skim the surface. Bonnie dug deep into her core values, peeled back her beliefs, and got crystal clear on what she wanted to feel every day.

Spoiler alert: It worked. Bonnie unlocked achievements beyond her wildest dreams, and now she’s on a mission to help others do the same with her book, The Life Brief, plus workshops and talks worldwide. Don’t miss this episode where Bonnie explores her perfectly imperfect journey.  

Bio

Bonnie is creator and author of The Life Brief, a simple and profound action-driving practice that helps  people navigate life’s biggest and trickiest decisions with clarity, creativity and courage. 

The Life Brief applies the art and science of brand strategy to how we live our lives, helping people get clear, take meaningful action, and live with greater intention and imagination.  

As Partner and Head of Brand Strategy at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners (GS&P), Wan leads strategy for  Fortune 500 companies including Blackstone, BMW, Comcast/Xfinity, Frito-Lay, and Kraft-Heinz. She also  harnesses strategy to create powerful, provocative, award- winning campaigns fighting racial injustice,  child sex trafficking, cyberbullying, college campus rape, and gender inequality. Wan has been named an  Advertising Icon, an Ad Age Leading Woman, and Chief Strategy Officer of the Year.  

The Life Brief has evolved from an agency talk to keynotes, workshops and now a best-selling book. The  Life Brief: A Playbook for No Regrets Living is the essential tool for aligning your daily actions with your  ambition and values. As a Brand Strategist turned Life Strategist, Wan not only helps companies  innovate from a place of purpose, but also guides everyday people who seek to realize their potential. 

Wan has taught The Life Brief at Accenture, AirBnB, Apple, Change.org, Chief, Google, SXSW, and World  50 Group as well as for Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop, and Jane Goodall’s Activating Hope Summit. 

Wan appears in Jeff Goodby and Rich Silverstein’s Masterclass on Advertising and Creativity and is  featured in the documentary film, The Big Flip, chronicling the lives of four women breadwinners and  their families. She has also been interviewed on Katie Couric’s Katie show and HuffPost Live. Her articles  have been featured by Fast Company, Campaign Magazine, AdAge, and Adweek. 

The Life Brief website: https://thelifebrief.com/

Well Being of We with Kerri Kelly

Kerri Kelly, author of American Detox, joins us on the podcast this week to talk about her life and the lessons she learned through the process of writing her book. Kerri takes us on parts of her journey, beginning with 9/11 and how that changed her life as she grappled with tremendous loss, both personally and societally.  Ultimately, Kerri takes a hard look at the way healthcare functions (or doesn’t), while never shying away from the role we as individuals play. While this all sounds heavy, Kerri’s willingness to laugh at herself, share her story so openly and encourage us all to think more collectively is incredibly uplifting.

 

Bio: 

Kerri is the founder of CTZNWELL, a movement that is democratizing wellbeing for all. A descendant of generations of firemen and first responders, Kerri has dedicated her life to kicking down doors and fighting for justice. She’s been teaching yoga for over 20 years and is known for making waves in the wellness industry by challenging norms, disrupting systems and mobilizing people to act. 

 

Links:

American Detox: https://www.americandetox.co/ 

CTZNWELL: https://www.ctznwell.org/ 

The Courage to Face His Pain with Julian Pistone

Julian Pistone had a lot of amazing things going for him: a great education, friends all over the world, and a fantastic job with one of the world’s most recognizable brands.  But his father's untimely death and two incredibly serious illnesses leveled Julian physically, mentally and spiritually.  As he lay completely immobile on the floor in his mother's home, Julian realized that neither numbing nor ignoring his pain was getting him through it. The only thing that helped him was to muster the courage to face it.  By being with his pain, the pain lost its control over him and a whole new way of looking at life was born.  

 

Bio

Julian Pistone is a former sales leader at Google, an international speaker, board member, and advisor to Fortune 500 companies.

 

After triumphing over two chronic illnesses, Julian's journey through pain ignited a mission to infuse courage into the world.

 

Blending nearly two decades of global corporate experience with a background in Buddhism and transpersonal psychology, Julian empowers individuals and teams to build courage, clarify their legacy intentions, and determine how they want to be remembered. His confrontation with mortality, disability, and mental illness led him to co-found Cor:age, a global impact network and retreat series that unites visionary makers — from political leaders and business executives to philanthropists, social advocates, investors, world-renowned scientists, and creatives — to catalyze change towards a more sustainable world.
Julian advocates for embracing the awareness of death to live and lead with greater intentionality, authenticity, and purpose. His speeches inspire leaders worldwide to thrive in constant disruption and consider the lasting impact of their actions on their organizations, communities, and future generations.

Alongside award-winning filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Juan Herrero, Julian is the creator of Cor:age Journeys — a content series that embarks on a mission across civilizations to explore the anatomy of courage and the transformative power of adversity. Through raw conversations with remarkable individuals, he uncovers extraordinary stories of human resilience and hope.

Julian is a global citizen who divides his time between The Americas and Europe, and speaks English, German, Spanish, Italian, and French. He travels the world, delivering keynote speeches and interviewing some of humanity’s bravest individuals, reminding us all how our darkest moments can reveal our most profound bravery.

VICE article about Katia: What It’s Like Knowing You’ll Die of Cancer at 35

Katia | Hope, Joy, and A Little Bit of Color

 

COR:AGE CONTENT SERIES trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8G-gykphN4