Project Confidence

In this episode of Project Confidence, we delve into how comparison in the workplace, particularly when it becomes ingrained in company culture, can subtly undermine collaboration, morale, and employee retention. While some comparison is natural behind closed doors during hiring or promotions, bringing it out into the open (like public rankings or performance charts) can do more harm than good.

I share a real-life story about a comp...

Comparison isn’t just a woman’s issue—it’s a human one.
This week on Project Confidence, we’re exploring how men experience comparison. It often hides behind ambition or the pressure to succeed, disguised as the rat race, the trophy wife, the perfect body, or the high-paying job.

From status and career to sports and fatherhood, comparison affects men in powerful and harmful ways. Recognizing it is the first step toward rising above i...

In this episode, Kathie shares two contrasting stories of youth soccer coaches, one who used comparison to motivate, leaving his players discouraged and defeated, and another who turned the game around by using appreciation, inspiration, and recognition. You’ll learn how powerful a leader's words can be, and how replacing comparison with encouragement can shift a team’s energy, build confidence, and lead to greater connection a...

Have you ever loved something, but comparison kept stealing your joy?

In this episode of Project Confidence, Kathie shares a personal story about starting Zumba and how constant comparison to the more experienced dancers nearly ruined it for her. Despite showing up week after week, the insecurity didn’t go away… until she tried something different: she moved to the front of the room.

Sometimes, when comparison keeps showing up in the...

In this episode, Kathie shares a powerful story from a family race where her youngest daughter crossed the finish line last—and proudly declared, “I’m the last winner!” It’s a reminder we all need: competition doesn’t have to come with comparison.

Kathie breaks down the difference between healthy competition and harmful comparison, and why tying your self-worth to someone else’s performance is a losing game. You’ll learn how to shif...

When my daughter came home raving about the crepes she ate at a friend’s house and then said she’d never tried them because I was so lazy, I felt that familiar pang of mom guilt. But instead of spiraling into comparison, I took a step back. In today’s episode, we’re talking about what to do when someone else invites us into a comparison trap. Whether it’s a comment from a child, a post on social media, or a friend’s offhand remark,...

In this episode of Project Confidence, we explore how to let go of the pressure to be super mom (or dad) and find confidence in your parenthood by embracing your unique strengths. Instead of comparing ourselves to the picture-perfect lives we see online or the achievements of other moms, we learn how to recognize what we do well. From being the calm in chaos to the bedtime storyteller or the memory-maker, this episode is a reminder...

Social media can be a breeding ground for comparison. But just because it naturally happens doesn't mean you have to let it drag you down and drown you in comparison. In this episode of Project Confidence, we explore how to turn social media comparison into meaningful connection. Instead of allowing highlight reels to chip away at your confidence, you’ll learn how to shift your mindset and use socail media to build community, not s...

Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt like you didn’t belong? Like your title, your role, or your story wasn’t “impressive enough” to matter?

In this episode, I’m sharing a time when I shrank myself down and let comparison steal my confidence. I’ll talk about how that mindset affected the way I introduced myself and interacted with others, and how everything changed when I started owning who I am.

If you’ve ever struggl...

In this episode, I share a personal story about how our big spring break plans to hike and sandboard in Southern Utah were suddenly canceled when my son broke his foot just days before the trip. What started as a huge disappointment turned into a beautiful reminder: life doesn’t always go as planned—but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be meaningful.

We explore how to honor your feelings when things fall apart, the power of pivoting...

In this follow-up to "Maybe They're Not Stuck Up," we explore how to shift out of insecure thought spirals and into a more confident, compassionate mindset. When we catch ourselves making assumptions—like thinking someone is ignoring us or doesn’t like us—it’s often our insecurity talking, not reality. By grounding ourselves in what we actually know and staying curious instead of jumping to conclusions, we not only bo...

Have you ever assumed someone was uninterested in being your friend, only to later realize they were just shy or unsure how to connect? In this episode, I share two personal stories—one from high school when I felt like an outsider in the school play, and another about a surprising nickname I had in my neighborhood. Both experiences taught me an important lesson: people aren’t necessarily distant or unkind; we often just don’t know...

We’ve all heard the advice: “Only compare yourself to yourself.” But what if self-comparison is just as harmful as comparing yourself to others? In this episode, I break down why measuring your current self against your past self can be an unfair and unrealistic expectation. Circumstances change, knowledge grows, and progress isn’t always linear. Instead of self-comparison, I’ll share how self-appreciation and recognition can help ...

New moms are constantly bombarded with comments about their bodies—whether it’s praise for a flat stomach or admiration for not “bouncing back.” While these compliments seem kind, they actually reinforce the harmful idea that a woman’s appearance is more important than her well-being. In this episode, we break down why body-focused praise puts undue pressure on new moms, how it feeds into unrealistic expectations, and why we need t...

Have you ever apologized for simply existing as you are? In this episode, I share a personal story about nearly forgetting lunch with my daughter—and showing up just as I was, in workout clothes and no makeup. I also talk about my neighbor who felt the need to apologize for being in PJs while borrowing butter. Why do we compare our ‘done-up’ selves to our natural state and judge one as less worthy? It’s time to break free from that...