It's a new year, which for many means New Year's resolutions.They often start with hope but quickly turn into pressure, comparison, and self-criticism—which is why so many of them don’t last. In this episode, we talk about why traditional resolutions fail and how chasing perfection can drain motivation and joy. You’ll learn how to approach your goals differently by adding AIR: Appreciation for the people and world around you, Inspiration to try instead of compare, and Recognition of your progress along the way. This episode invites you to start the year with intention, not shame, and to pursue growth that feels sustainable, meaningful, and kind.

The beginning of a passion project feels exciting. The ending feels worth it. But the middle? The middle is messy.

In this episode, I’m talking about the messy middle, that uncomfortable season where the excitement fades, the work feels heavy, and comparison creeps in. Inspired by a candid post from Monica Packer reflecting on nine years of podcasting, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what meaningful creative work really looks like.

I share honestly about moments in my own writing, speaking, and podcasting journey when I felt misunderstood, embarrassed, overwhelmed, or ready to quit—and why those moments didn’t mean I was failing, but creating.

We explore how comparison turns the reality of doing the work into a false story of failure, and why the messy middle is where so many people give up—not because they aren’t capable, but because they didn’t expect this part.

To help navigate this season, I introduce AIR—Appreciation, Inspiration, and Recognition—as a practical mindset to keep going when doubt shows up. From the power of one kind message to recognizing progress you can’t yet see, this episode is a reminder that your work matters.

In this episode, Kathie shares a real moment from her recent family vacation when comparison almost stole the joy right out of the trip. After feeling frustrated and unprepared, she realized she was comparing this vacation to perfectly planned trips from the past, and it was making her grumpy and disconnected. She walks through how she used the SOAR steps to shift her mindset, let go of self-blame, and fully enjoy the moment. If you’ve ever let expectations or comparison ruin something good, this episode will help you reset, reframe, and reclaim the joy that’s right in front of you.

As the Holidays approach, let's learn together how to avoid letting differing points of view ruin the holidays with your family. It all comes down to the fact that we often have different priority rankings, even when we hold the same values. Listen in to hear one of the big ah-ha moments of Kathie's life, and how it can teach us all how to more fully appreciate one another in our differing views.

In this week's episode, Kathie sits down with Monica Packer, creator of the About Progress podcast, to talk about what it really means to push back against perfectionism driven by comparison.

Monica shares her powerful “Do Something Anyway” philosophy: the idea that you don’t have to be ready, qualified, or perfect to start, you just have to begin. Together, we unpack why it’s okay to be mediocre and how action itself builds confidence.

Monica opens up about two vulnerable moments when she chose to show up despite fear and self-doubt—traveling abroad alone and accepting a lunch invitation in her dream community. Her stories remind us that when we let go of perfection and embrace progress, we not only grow but also create space to both give and receive from others.

If you’ve ever waited to feel “ready” before taking a step, this episode will encourage you to do something anyway.

Have you ever looked at someone who seems to have it all together socially — bubbly, confident, always surrounded by friends — and thought, they’d never understand how it feels to be left out?

In this episode of Project Confidence, Kathie shares a story from her last week living in California that turned that assumption upside down. What started as a casual goodbye conversation revealed something deeper: even the most outgoing people can feel like outsiders, too.

It is a good reminder that everyone is craving connection, and that friendship often begins with one small, brave invitation.

We all want community. We search to belong, but we don’t always want the messy parts that come with it. In this episode, we explore a simple but powerful truth Kathie read on an Instagram post by therapyforwomen: “Annoyance is the price you pay for community.”

When we long for frictionless relationships, we actually rob ourselves of growth. Real community means learning to live with differences, the quirks, interruptions, and small frustrations that stretch our patience and deepen our empathy. A “perfect” group, where everyone thinks and acts the same, might sound peaceful, but it creates an echo chamber that limits learning and connection. The only other option to some friction is isolation, and that is good for no one.

But there is an antidote to ease some of the friction. Tune in to find out.

Have you ever worried that people will “find out” you’re not as capable as they think? If you have ever felt like an imposter, you are in good company, as Maya Angelou, Tom Hanks, Michelle Obama, and other successful people have also.In this episode, Kathie opens up about her own battle with imposter syndrome, how fears about not being a “real writer” held her back from leading a workshop and sharing her first book. She discusses how imposter syndrome is really a form of comparison that keeps us from showing up fully and explains how to use her SOAR method to move past it.

This episode will help you stop letting comparison define your worth, and start showing up with confidence, even when doubt tries to whisper otherwise.