The RISE Experience
It’s not always about becoming someone different.
Sometimes it’s about realizing you’ve been disconnected from yourself for longer than you thought.
The RISE Experience is a podcast for the woman who can handle everything — except herself. The one who shows up, gets things done, keeps things together… but quietly feels like something isn’t landing the way it should.
Shannon Denniston is a behavior change coach and the founder of RISE. What she talks about here isn’t behavior on the surface. It’s what sits underneath it — patterns, beliefs, and identity-level disconnects that make consistency feel harder than it should.
A lot of what gets called “starting over” isn’t starting over at all. It’s noticing what’s been running in the background for a long time, and learning how to move differently from there.
Not forced. Not rushed. No reinvention, no reset, just more aware, more honest with where things actually are, and returning to yourself in a way that holds.
The RISE Experience
Overcoming Perfectionism and Embracing Self-Worth Through Faith and Leadership.
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Have you ever found yourself stuck rewriting the same email or redoing a project until it feels “just right”? That quiet pull toward perfection might not be about fear—it might be about trying to feel enough.
Welcome to The Rise Experience Podcast, where faith meets leadership and growth begins from within. I’m Shannon Denniston, and my heart is to walk alongside growth-minded leaders who want to rise with integrity, courage, and compassion. Together, we explore how lasting impact starts by leading ourselves well—spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
Episode Highlights
Perfectionism often looks like striving for excellence, but underneath, it can be a quiet attempt to feel worthy or safe. I talk about how the brain reacts to success and failure, creating patterns that keep us chasing validation instead of peace. There’s also a closer look at those subtle “workarounds” we use, like procrastination or overplanning, to protect ourselves from discomfort. By learning to notice these habits, take small, direct actions, and practice self-compassion, it becomes easier to move forward without the constant pressure to be perfect.
Main Takeaways
- Perfectionism often stems from inadequacy, not fear—it’s the brain’s way of seeking safety and worth.
- The dopamine rush from success and stress response from failure keep us trapped in a reward-punishment cycle.
- “Workarounds” like procrastination or overplanning are forms of self-protection, not laziness.
- Worth is inherent and unchanging—it’s not tied to performance or productivity.
- Progress happens when we choose direct, imperfect action over endless tweaking.
- Faith reframes perfectionism: God delights in our obedience, not our performance.
- Self-compassion and vulnerability create space for real growth and connection.
Episode Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:07 The Hidden Side of Perfectionism
02:35 Perfectionism and Self-Worth
04:13 Workarounds and Self-Protection
08:31 Reflecting on Perfectionism
09:36 Resetting the Mindset
11:30 Steps to Break the Loop
13:18 Embracing Presence Over Perfection
Call to Action
If this message spoke to you, share it with someone who’s caught in the pressure to be perfect. Let’s keep rising together in faith and freedom. Make sure to follow The Rise Experience Podcast so you never miss an episode.
Supporting Information
- Instagram: @risewithshannon
- Facebook: Rise Experience
- LinkedIn: Shannon Denniston
- Business: https://msha.ke/shanden
- Coaching: https://msha.ke/risewithshannon
Thank you for tuning in today. My prayer is that this episode helps lift the weight of perfection and reminds you that peace doesn’t come from getting it right — it comes from being rooted in truth. See you next time on The Rise Experience Podcast.