Shows
Most Self-ImprovedMake hard choices easier with decision coach Nell WulfhartIf you’ve ever felt paralyzed by choice — whether it’s small, like deciding on dinner, or big, like changing careers — this episode is your push toward clarity. Decision coach Nell Wulfhart joins hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri to help untangle what’s actually keeping us stuck. From overthinking to fear of regret, this honest conversation offers practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you finally decide and move forward.Nell shares why taking action — even imperfectly — is often better than staying in indecision, why most decisions are reversible, and how to build your decision-making muscle. You'll learn h...2025-08-0129 minMost Self-ImprovedStop waiting, start packing: How solo travel changes you with Melissa ByronYou don’t need a significant other, bestie, or bachelorette invite to see the world. You simply need the desire (which you’ve got), the confidence to take your dreams seriously, and the courage to act on it.In this episode of Most Self-Improved, hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen chat with Melissa Byron of A Solo Woman Traveling — an expert who curates luxury European tours for women. She’s here to tell you that freedom, fun, and self-discovery don’t require anyone else’s permission. “I was about to turn 30,” Melissa remembers of her first solo trip...2025-07-0322 minMost Self-ImprovedAre you being too picky when it comes to dating or just thoughtful? Coach Rachel Simeone breaks it downThis is such a fun and informative episode for anyone who has been accused of being picky or secretly wondered if their standards for dating are too high. Dating coach Rachel Simeone joins hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri to unpack what it really means to be picky and what settling feels like.“Settling comes from a place of fear, a place (of) insecurity,” Rachel says. “The message you're giving yourself is something like, ‘What if I never find anyone else? Maybe I can't get the kind of person I want. Maybe this is all there is for me.’...2025-06-1928 minMost Self-ImprovedWhat is breathwork? Feeling your yes and no with Tricia DimonYour Most Self-Improved hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri kick off Season 3 with an episode that might be just the exhale you need. Tricia Dimon, a breathwork facilitator and founder of Breath of Abundance, explains the inner clarity and calm that can be achieved through intentional breath. If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected from your intuition, or like your body is carrying stress you can’t name, this one is for you. Learn about a new tool for self-regulation and decision-making that you can try during the episode.In this episo...2025-06-0528 minMost Self-ImprovedSolo parenthood: A bold journey with Ali CherryMaybe you haven’t found the right partner, or perhaps pairing up isn’t of interest at all, but you’d still like to pursue your dream of becoming a parent on your own. In this eye-opening episode, Most Self-Improved hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen chat with Ali Cherry, wearer of multiple hats, including therapist, writer, standup comic and mom. Discover Ali’s inspiring story of embracing life on her own terms and her journey to becoming a mom. This heartwarming episode is not only an exploration of what it means to pursue solo motherhood but also a ce...2024-10-1221 minMost Self-ImprovedWhat is envy? Why we feel it and how to use it for goodIt’s a four-letter word with a bad rap, but we’re going to talk about it anyway: envy.We just exited “Why is everyone in Italy without me?”-season, but there are still times when we feel like we’re lacking or behind — as the only single girl at dinner, or intimidated by all of the influencers and CEOs on our #FYP that seem to have it all (and all figured out).What’s wrong with us? (Spoiler alert: absolutely nothing!) And what can we do with those feelings? In this episode, life coach Stacy Kim reve...2024-09-2626 minMost Self-ImprovedBalancing effort and ease with life and leadership coach Stephanie MacKinnon"Most Self Improved" hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen chat with life and leadership coach Stephanie MacKinnon to explore the elusive balance between effort and ease. If you’ve ever struggled with knowing how hard to push yourself and when to rest, this conversation is a must-listen.In this episode:02:47 Stephanie's journey and insights: “It’s a constant cycle of learning and checking in."04:26 Defining effort and ease and why the word “should” is a red flag for Stephanie7:17 How to know if you’re burnt out: “Checking in wi...2024-09-1320 min
Elite Achievement104. Embracing Discomfort for Personal Growth, Systematic Goal Setting, and Overcoming Fear of Failure with Erin Jensen and Bhavana ChilukuriWhat if embracing discomfort was the key to unlocking your greatest achievements? Join us as we challenge conventional wisdom on goal setting with Erin and Bhavana from the Most Self-Improved podcast. Together, we uncover the transformative power of stepping outside your comfort zone, learning from failures, and supporting one another's journey to personal growth. With a blend of humor and heartfelt insights, we share what it truly means to be a "goal baby" and why we’re all passionate about self-improvement.In this episode, we also share the realities of running an online coaching business and the pi...2024-09-1235 minMost Self-ImprovedMinimalism 101 with Dara Zycherman: How to start simplifying your lifeAs minimalist lifestyle coach Dara Zycherman explains, minimalism extends far beyond just decluttering. Discover how minimalism, rooted in mindfulness and self-reflection, can transform not only your physical space but also your mental clarity and confidence. Listen as Dara explains the difference between organizing and simplifying, the emotional weight of our possessions, and how our outer environment impacts our inner well-being. Tune in to learn practical tips for starting your minimalist journey and how this mindset shift can lead to a more aligned and fulfilling life.In this episode:3:10 D...2024-08-2331 minMost Self-ImprovedHow to make friends as an adult, with therapist Leah MaroneIn this episode of Most Self-Improved, hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri chat with therapist Leah Marone all about adult friendships. Leah emphasizes our innate need for connection and the challenges of maintaining friendships as we age. If you’ve been sad about an evolving friendship, don’t worry. Grieving is totally normal, Leah says. And clear, proactive communication can help.This chat covers evolving expectations of friendships, loneliness, making new acquaintances later in life, and resolving conflicts in a healthy way. Tune in for an important conversation that will inspire you to take s...2024-07-1843 minMost Self-ImprovedFinding authentic, lasting happiness with Dr. Ilene CohenMost Self-Improved hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri welcome marriage and family therapist Dr. Ilene Cohen for this episode on happiness. Discover how a strong foundation built on values and principles, rather than fleeting pleasures, leads to true fulfillment. And learn about the impact of relationships, self-evaluation, and overcoming challenges to achieve lasting joy. Whether you're seeking ways to align your behaviors with your values or curious about the difference between instant gratification and genuine happiness, this episode offers deep insights and practical advice to enhance your well-being.In this ep...2024-07-0423 minMost Self-ImprovedThriving on your own: Embracing single living with Peter McGrawIn this episode of Most Self-Improved, behavioral economist Peter McGraw discusses the benefits of embracing singledom as someone whose identity is independent of their relationship status. He calls it living as a Solo. Peter says being single is often “viewed as temporary, viewed as less than. It's like, ‘Oh, I'm sure you'll find your person,’ kind of dinner conversation.” But Peter wanted to alter that perception and examine “what are the opportunities that come from being single and to celebrate this time in life, whether it be for now or forever.”Drawing from his book released in J...2024-06-2035 minMost Self-ImprovedWhat we’re getting wrong about consistency: Goal achievement coach Kristin Burke says stop thinking it’s all or nothingIn this episode of "Most Self-Improved,” hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri chat with goal achievement coach Kristin Burke about the power of consistency in reaching your goals. It’s one of Kristin’s four C's of goal achievers, after all — along with clarity, confidence and courage.For our audience, Kristin outlines a simple yet effective four-part goal-setting process. She also reveals how we can learn to identify meaningful goals, develop courage by "partying with fear," and implement consistent habits to make your goals a reality.Join us for a motivating conversation that will leave you equi...2024-06-0640 minMost Self-ImprovedThe secret to your best morning routine, aka your 'sacred hour,' with therapist Kerry BiskelonisHello! Allow us at Most Self-Improved -- hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen -- to reintroduce our podcast. While we launched in September 2023 as a podcast book club devoted exclusively to personal growth titles, we've pivoted to an interview format in which we talk to experts in the wellness space seeking answers to questions like, "Where the heck do I make friends as a thirty-something?" "Do I really want to have kids?" "How do I make the most of my morning?" Speaking of, "morning routine" has become one of those buzzy phrases, like "gut health" as of...2024-06-0632 minMost Self-ImprovedSeason 2 Trailer: Introducing a new and improved Most Self-ImprovedNaturally a podcast named Most Self-Improved is returning with a few, well, improvements! Though the show launched in September 2023 as a book club podcast exclusively reading personal growth titles, your hilarious, relatable and never-afraid-to-be-vulnerable hosts have gotten rid of the required reading. Going forward, hosts Bhavana Chilukuri and Erin Jensen will interview therapists and experts in the wellness space to help answer questions plaguing them and their fellow Millennials: “How do I make friends as a thirty-something?” “Do I really need a 25-step skincare routine?” “How do I truly know if I want kids?” Episodes...2024-06-0301 minMost Self-Improved'Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones': Part 3Do you have a vision of who you’d like to be in 2024? Perhaps it’s someone who consistently works out, reads, or eats a more balanced-diet? Perhaps this version of you is one you’ve imagined for a long time, but for whatever reason you haven’t been able to make it a reality. In light of the New Year, we’re reading James Clear’s “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” which might help you be the person you’ve wanted to be, that you know deep down you are. And good news: to...2024-01-1126 minMost Self-Improved'Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones': Part 2Do you have a vision of who you’d like to be in 2024? Perhaps it’s someone who consistently works out, reads, or eats a more balanced-diet? Perhaps this version of you is one you’ve imagined for a long time, but for whatever reason you haven’t been able to make it a reality. In light of the New Year, we’re reading James Clear’s “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” which might help you be the person you’ve wanted to be, that you know deep down you are. And good news: to...2024-01-0524 minMost Self-Improved'Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones': Part 1Do you have a vision of who you’d like to be in 2024? Perhaps it’s someone who consistently works out, reads, or eats a more balanced diet? Perhaps this version of you is one you’ve imagined for a long time, but for whatever reason you haven’t been able to make it a reality. In light of the New Year, we’re reading James Clear’s “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones,” which might help you be the person you’ve wanted to be, that you know deep down you are. And good news...2023-12-2828 minMost Self-ImprovedInterview with ‘The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control’ author Katherine Morgan SchaflerCalling all perfectionists: this series is for you! In this episode, Katherine Morgan Schafler, psychotherapist and author of "The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control,” answers all of our lingering questions, including:How can you detach from the outcome of something that you care about so much, like wanting to be a parent? As a perfectionist, are my expectations too high for a romantic partner? Am I being too picky? How do we strike the balance of effort and rest? More:Buy the book and read along. The reading schedule is as follows. Read...2023-12-2130 minMost Self-Improved‘The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control’: Part 3Calling all perfectionists: this series is for you! In "The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control,” psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler gives a formula for feeling restored and highlights the importance of allowing yourself to experience pleasure today.“Restoration is a two-phase process. You empty yourself out, you fill yourself back up,” she writes. Katherine says restoration is the combination of passive relaxation (think watching TV, taking a nap) and active relaxation (things like walking, cooking, going to a social gathering).Katherine also warns against putting off pleasure: “When you make your access to pleasure conditional (a ‘treat’ for...2023-12-1419 minMost Self-Improved‘The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control’: Part 2Calling all perfectionists: this series is for you! In "The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control,” psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler explains that perfectionists can be great at self-punishment if they don’t meet their expectations. Examples of punishments include critical and negative self talk, self-sabotaging the good in your life, and denying yourself the space and time to experience simple pleasures.Why would we punish ourselves? What sense does that make? Katherine points to three reasons:We’re evaluating our worth on our performance, instead of our existence.We’re not understanding how important being compassionate with ourselve...2023-12-0720 minMost Self-Improved'The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control': Part 1Calling all perfectionists: this series is for you! In "The Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control,” psychotherapist Katherine Morgan Schafler says it’s time to embrace who you are.“Perfectionists are intelligent people who understand that everything can’t work out perfectly all the time,” Katherine explains in her book. “What they sometimes have trouble with is understand why they still feel so disappointed by imperfection in the face of that intellectual concession. What they sometimes wonder about is why they feel so compelled to endlessly strive. What they’re sometimes confused by is what they’re striving for in the first...2023-11-3034 minMost Self-ImprovedA special Thanksgiving episode! "Gratitude" by Oliver SacksFor this very special Thanksgiving episode of Most Self-Improved, hosts Bhavana and Erin discuss Oliver Sacks' collection of essays "Gratitude." The late Sacks penned the book during his battle with cancer.“I cannot pretend I am without fear. But my predominant feeling is one of gratitude," he wrote. "I have loved and been loved; I have been given much and I have given something in return; I have read and traveled and thought and written. I have had an intercourse with the world, the special intercourse of writers and readers."He added: “Above all, I have...2023-11-2318 minMost Self-Improved'Build the Life You Want': Part 2Who wouldn't like to be even just a little bit happier? The four pillars of happiness, identified in “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier” by Arthur C. Brooks and the one and only Oprah Winfrey, are discussed in this episode: family, friends, faith, and work.In this episode:2:41 A recap of what Episode 1 covered3:55 So you're being unproductive? Why you shouldn't feel bad about it.5:10 Pillar 1: Family and family conflicts addressed6:30 Why you should pick a partner who complements you9:13 Pillar 2: Friends and how much...2023-11-1626 minMost Self-Improved'Build the Life You Want': Part 1Who wouldn't like to be even just a little bit happier? This episode kicks off our series on “Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier” by Arthur C. Brooks and the one and only Oprah Winfrey."... Happiness is not a destination. Happiness is a direction," the authors explain. And if you think targeting the things that make you unhappy will result in more happiness, you're wrong the authors say. “The common strategy of trying to eliminate suffering from life to get happier is futile and mistaken; we must instead look for th...2023-11-0925 minMost Self-Improved'Deeper Than Money': Part 3If you’ve been wanting to get a better handle on your finance$, our series on “Deeper Than Money: Ditch Money Shame, Build Wealth, and Feel Confident AF” might be for you.Author Chloe Elise grew up in a household that didn’t talk about money. In college, she felt crushed by her student loans and decided she would read up on the subject of finance. But the restrictive, shame-inducing texts didn’t work for her. She believes in treating yourself to the $7 latte and striving for goals in a way that does’t leave you feeling deprived. Oh...2023-11-0222 minMost Self-Improved'Deeper Than Money': Part 2If you’ve been wanting to get a better handle on your finance$, our series on “Deeper Than Money: Ditch Money Shame, Build Wealth, and Feel Confident AF” might be for you.Author Chloe Elise grew up in a household that didn’t talk about money. In college, she felt crushed by her student loans and decided she would read up on the subject of finance. But the restrictive, shame-inducing texts didn’t work for her. She believes in treating yourself to the $7 latte and striving for goals in a way that does’t leave you feeling deprived. Oh...2023-10-2625 minMost Self-Improved'Deeper Than Money': Part 1If you’ve been wanting to get a better handle on your finance$, our series on “Deeper Than Money: Ditch Money Shame, Build Wealth, and Feel Confident AF” might be for you.Author Chloe Elise grew up in a household that didn’t talk about money. In college, she felt crushed by her student loans and decided she would read up on the subject of finance. But the restrictive, shame-inducing texts didn’t work for her. She believes in treating yourself to the $7 latte and striving for goals in a way that does’t leave you feeling deprived. Oh...2023-10-1931 minMost Self-Improved'Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power': Part 3Most Self-Improved hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri conclude their series on "Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power" by Dr. Luana Marques with Parts 4, Align, and 5, Conclusion. Purchase "Bold Move" to read along. Dr. Marques aims to add more meaning to readers’ lives by helping them identify their values and areas where they maybe be stuck due to a tendency to avoid uncomfortable situations.In this episode, Bhavana and Erin discuss Dr. Marques tips for creating a life aligned with your values. Summarizing the book for...2023-10-1241 minMost Self-Improved'Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power': Part 2Most Self-Improved hosts Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri continue their series on "Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power" by Dr. Luana Marques with Part 3: Approach. Dr. Marques aims to add more meaning to readers’ lives by helping them identify their values and areas where they maybe be stuck due to a tendency to avoid uncomfortable situations.Purchase "Bold Move" and read along. Share your thoughts with Erin, Bhavana, and the Most Self-Improved community on Instagram @MostSelfImproved. Read each section before list...2023-10-0534 minMost Self-Improved'Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power': Part 1Erin Jensen and Bhavana Chilukuri launch the Most Self-Improved podcast with "Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power" by Dr. Luana Marques. The three-part series (see the reading schedule below) begins with Part 1: The Stuff That Keeps Us Stuck and Part 2: Shift. Dr. Marques aims to add more meaning to readers’ lives by helping them identify their values and areas where they maybe be stuck due to a tendency to avoid uncomfortable situations.Purchase "Bold Move" and read along. Share your thoughts with Erin, Bhavana, and the...2023-09-2846 min
Most Self-ImprovedMost Self-Improved trailerConsider this trailer Most Self-Improved's table of contents, a preview of how this podcast just might change your life.2023-09-1601 min