Brilliant Balance
You deserve a big, full life and the freedom to enjoy it. The Brilliant Balance Podcast helps women in leadership design their next chapter for sustainable success—without burnout. Every week, host Cherylanne Skolnicki, a leading expert in work-life balance, leadership growth, and mindset coaching, shares ideas, inspiration, and insights to help high-achieving women align their ambition with personal fulfillment. Through conversations on leadership mindset, time management, and personal growth, you'll gain the tools to thrive in both your career and personal life. Whether you're considering a career pivot or craving more time for your personal life, you might find yourself asking: How do I advance my career—without working 24/7? Can I achieve my goals while still having time for my family? How do I stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling in control? What’s next for me—and how do I design it intentionally? If you’ve ever wondered how to fulfill your potential without breaking your life, this podcast is for you. In addition to sharing her own insights, Cherylanne sits down with experts, thought leaders, and ambitious women who reveal their strategies for burnout recovery, productivity for women, and redefining success on their terms. You’ll love the Brilliant Balance Podcast if you like podcasts like: Unlocking Us or Dare to Lead with Brene Brown, Women at Work by Harvard Business Review, The Midlife with Reshma Saujani, We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle, The Mel Robbins Podcast, HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, So Money with Farnoosh Torabi
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Being a Likeable Badass - with Alison Fragale
07/14/2026
Being a Likeable Badass - with Alison Fragale
Can you be both warm and ambitious? Kind and confident? Supportive and successful? In this episode, I'm joined by organizational psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Alison Fragale to talk about why women often feel like they have to choose between being liked and being respected. We unpack the science behind status, influence, and reciprocity, and why the most successful women learn to build both warmth and confidence at the same time. If you've ever worried about being "too nice" or "too much," this conversation will change the way you think about leadership, relationships, and the way people experience you. Show Highlights: How Alison's childhood shaped her understanding of warmth and assertiveness. [06:10] Why being liked is one of the most overlooked sources of influence. [15:20] The difference between status, power, and respect. [27:45] What it really means to be a "Likeable Badass." [33:30] Why women don't have to choose between confidence and connection. [43:15] The surprising truth behind feedback like "you're too nice" or "you're too aggressive." [53:40] Practical ways to build stronger relationships without feeling transactional. [1:08:10] Simple daily habits that strengthen your network over time. [1:17:20] Alison's favorite status-building practice that anyone can start today. [1:24:40] Order your copy of Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve by Dr. Alison Fragale : Paperback: Hardcover: Kindle: To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Am I being selfish? Listener Questions Answered
07/07/2026
Am I being selfish? Listener Questions Answered
Have you ever tried to do something good for yourself, only to feel guilty the second someone else had a reaction to it? In this episode, I’m answering listener questions about what happens when self-care becomes visible and the people around us have feelings about it. I’m talking about morning workouts, girls’ trips, hobbies, and the guilt that can show up when we start making room for ourselves. Underneath each question is a deeper one: how do I get my own needs met without feeling like the villain in someone else’s story? This episode is for you if you’re ready to protect the practices that help you feel like yourself, without over-explaining, hiding, or asking for permission. Show Highlights: ● Why visible self-care can feel so complicated. [02:02] ● The listener question behind this Dear Cherylanne episode. [03:34] ● Why self-care does not need to become a debate. [12:12] ● How to handle guilt around time away. [18:58] ● The difference between privacy and secrecy. [27:04] ● Why hobbies deserve space in a full life. [31:30] ● How guilt changes as kids get older. [33:12] ● The difference between guilt, judgment, and grief. [40:52] ● What it means to be strategically selfish. [45:08] Submit a Dear Cherylanne question: Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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They're Watching How You Treat Yourself
06/30/2026
They're Watching How You Treat Yourself
Every Mother's Day, I see the same message on cards: Thank you for giving up everything for us. But the cards my own kids write tell a different story. In this episode, I'm talking about what we're teaching the people around us when we treat ourselves like we don't matter. I unpack the Type C pattern, why being endlessly capable gets rewarded, and the cost of always putting yourself last. This is not about self-care days or finding more time. It's about making room for the things that matter to you, even in small ways. Because people learn from what we do, not just what we say. Show Highlights: The pattern I keep noticing in the Mother's Day card aisle. [01:30] What my kids' handwritten cards taught me instead. [05:15] The Type C personality and why the world rewards it. [11:40] What kids actually absorb when they watch us disappear. [16:20] Why I'm not telling you to go get a massage. [22:10] What microdosing your own needs really looks like. [25:45] Real examples from my own porch, my workouts, and my travel. [29:30] Why strategic selfishness might be the most generous thing you can model. [34:50] To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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How to grow your career and family without losing yourself
06/23/2026
How to grow your career and family without losing yourself
How do you grow your career and your family at the same time without losing yourself in the process? In this episode, I’m exploring why that question feels so familiar to high-achieving women. I’m talking about the invisible math of work, home, and you, and why your own needs are often the first to get squeezed out. Instead of waiting to see what’s left after everyone else gets your time and energy, I’m inviting you to protect space for what helps you feel healthy, whole, and human. This episode is for you if you’re ready to stop putting yourself last and start making room for yourself in the middle of a full life. Show Highlights: ● The core question so many working mothers are trying to solve. [01:02] ● Why “losing yourself” is often the missing part of work-life balance. [03:10] ● The invisible math of work, home, and you. [05:04] ● How your own needs slowly get crowded out. [06:42] ● The mental model that keeps women at the bottom of the list. [13:15] ● What happens when you protect your own non-negotiables. [16:28] ● How Parkinson’s Law explains the way work fills available time. [18:42] ● Why constraints can create clarity and better choices. [22:10] ● A client story about making room for a more spacious season. [26:28] ● The question that helps you work backward from what you truly want. [30:38] ● How to begin making room for what makes you feel like yourself. [38:52] To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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The Good Mother Rulebook Nobody Published but Everyone Follows
06/16/2026
The Good Mother Rulebook Nobody Published but Everyone Follows
Do you ever feel like you’re measuring yourself against an invisible standard of what a “good mother” should be? In this episode, I’m unpacking the unwritten rulebook so many mothers follow without even realizing it. I’m sharing a personal story from my son’s preschool years that triggered a shame spiral over something he doesn’t even remember. That moment helped me see how many standards I had absorbed from childhood, culture, comparison, and expectations I never consciously chose. Today, I’m inviting you to look at your own Good Mother Rulebook, decide which rules truly reflect your values, and release the ones creating unnecessary guilt or pressure. Show Highlights: ● The invisible Good Mother Rulebook most of us are following. [00:38] ● My preschool picture day story. [02:38] ● Why one forgotten moment felt like a parenting failure. [07:18] ● The difference between embarrassment and shame. [08:03] ● How motherhood standards become internalized over time. [11:22] ● Why high achievers are especially vulnerable to unwritten rules. [13:58] ● Where our ideas of “good mothering” often come from. [15:28] ● How comparison quietly shapes our personal rulebooks. [18:26] ● Examples of rules you may be carrying without realizing it. [20:04] ● Why most motherhood rules are more negotiable than they feel. [21:18] ● Three steps to uncover and rewrite your own rulebook. [23:48] ● Choosing standards that reflect your values instead of inherited pressure. [28:03] ● The few things in motherhood that are truly non-negotiable. [29:05] To register for the Couples Workshop, click here: Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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They're Not Oblivious. The System Just Lives in Your Head.
06/09/2026
They're Not Oblivious. The System Just Lives in Your Head.
It turns out I’m carrying an invisible operating system that runs beneath the surface of my entire life, and chances are, you are too. This one is for the women who are tired. Not just physically, but tired of carrying so much that nobody else can even see. I explore why the people around us aren't oblivious on purpose, and what we can actually do to close the gap between how much we're doing and how little of it is seen. Show Highlights: The invisible mental checklist no one else knows is running. [02:10] Why the people around you aren't lazy, they just can't see it. [08:45] Where resentment quietly grows. [11:20] Step one: making the invisible visible, to yourself first. [16:05] Step two: giving yourself credit before anyone else does. [20:30] Step three: getting honest about what you actually want. [23:15] Handing off systems, not just tasks. [27:00] How to start the conversation even when it feels impossible. [31:40] To register for the Couples Workshop, click here: Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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The All-Or-Nothing Trap
06/02/2026
The All-Or-Nothing Trap
Have you ever abandoned a goal entirely because you couldn't pursue it perfectly? In this honest and deeply personal episode, Cherylanne pulls back the curtain on her own all-or-nothing pattern and helps you find your own. This episode names the trap clearly: dichotomous thinking, also known as black-and-white thinking, is one of the most common cognitive distortions identified in psychology. Cherylanne unpacks the three root causes: our evolutionary wiring for binary decisions, the standards we absorbed growing up, and socially prescribed perfectionism, and explains why high achievers are specially prone to this pattern. Most importantly, she shares what she is actually doing about it, and how you can begin to do the same. If there is a dream, practice, or project you have put off because you couldn't do it exactly right, this episode is for you. Show Highlights: ● The book Cherylanne has wanted to write for most of her adult life and why she hasn't done it yet. [01:15] ● How all-or-nothing thinking shows up in fitness and meal planning. [07:30] ● What dichotomous thinking is and where it comes from in psychology. [13:02] ● Cause #1: The evolutionary roots of binary thinking. [14:10] ● Cause #2: The standards we internalized growing up. [16:35] ● Cause #3: Socially prescribed perfectionism and the imagined audience. [19:20] ● Why "if I can't do it right, why bother?" has such a high cost. [22:45] ● What Cherylanne is actually doing now—the Substack, the outline, the chapters. [25:10] ● Why imperfect action creates momentum that doing nothing never will. [27:40] ● Finding your own "book"—and what exists between perfect and nothing. [30:00] Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Substack: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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What Happens When You Stop Doing Everything Yourself
05/26/2026
What Happens When You Stop Doing Everything Yourself
Ever feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your own shoulders—handling every email, project, and task yourself? I’ve been there, telling myself it was the smart and responsible way to run my business, until I realized what I was missing out on by not letting go. In this episode, I’m revealing exactly what happens when you stop doing everything yourself and start getting results through others. We’ll talk about how this shift can give you precious time back, multiply your impact, and create new opportunities—not just for you, but for everyone on your team and in your life. By leveraging others and learning to trust, we're able to embrace new possibilities. If you’re ready for bigger results and a richer life, this episode is for you! Show Highlights: Solo startup narratives of handling all tasks yourself. [00:48] The risk of operating alone becoming a habit and identity. [02:58] My epiphany of A. G. Lafley leading P&G by leveraging others. [04:08] Why delegation is essential in both teams and homes. [07:26] The power of reclaiming specialist time with a client example. [09: 21] How effective leaders delegate and multiply impact. [15:22] Outsourcing tasks in personal life—but which ones? [18:36] Giving others opportunities by delegating meaningful work. [20:11] The transformation of who you become by letting go. [24:20] What are your emotional barriers to delegating and outsourcing? [27:45] Join The Coaching Circle’s June master class on delegation. [29:09] Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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What If You Let Them Take the Wheel?
05/19/2026
What If You Let Them Take the Wheel?
Do you always end up taking charge of others’ problems because you know you can solve them faster or better? I know I do, and if you’re a high-achiever, this episode will hit close to home. Today, I’m sharing why so many highly competent women have this pattern of taking the wheel for others. I’m inviting you to consider how our can-do mindset, while celebrated, can quietly drain our energy, stunt others’ growth, and even erode our closest connections. Discover the telltale signs of over-helping, the hidden costs, and how to reclaim your time and sanity without sacrificing your drive. Let’s learn to let go, let others step up, build true confidence, and create space for everyone—including ourselves—to thrive. Show Highlights: The high-performer’s instinct to solve problems. [01:15] Hardwired servant leadership vs. detrimental overhelping. [02:52] When is it right to grab the wheel from your leaner-driver teen? [04:50] Micromanaging at work and how it stifles others’ growth. [07:48] How arguing over doing chores your way leads to overload. [10:10] Learning to listen, not solve. [12:30] What to tell a chronic helper to help them step back. [13:41] The importance of letting others build skills and confidence. [14:55] Eroded connection and people avoiding opening up. [17:02] Why habitual problem-solvers rarely get to feel supported. [18:04] The power supportive coaching with The Coaching Circle. [19:19] Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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What Conversation Do You Need to Have?
05/12/2026
What Conversation Do You Need to Have?
Are you avoiding that one conversation you know you need to have? I get it, most of us have a tricky topic we’re sidestepping at work, at home, or even with a friend. In this episode, I’m sharing why everything you want—whether it’s more flexibility, healthier relationships, or a sense of confidence—is often waiting for you on the other side of a courageous conversation. I’ll walk you through the emotions that hold us back, reveal my story of asking for something that felt impossible (and actually getting it!), and challenge you to take that first step, even if it’s uncomfortable. This is your moment to take a breath, get honest, and watch what happens when you speak up for what you truly want. Let’s rewrite your story, one conversation at a time. Show Highlights: Are you avoiding having difficult but necessary conversations? [00:48] The power of courageous, imperfect conversations. [02:31] What chronic problems in life manifest from. [04:30] The emotions, stories, and “crystal ball” view behind avoidance. [05:53] Link desired outcomes to the conversation they need. [09:34] An example of how to ask for more flexibility at work. [10:35] Approaching sensitive topics with your Mom, friend, or teen. [12:29] Discover an effective workplace practice for clearing the air. [15:32] Three key freedoms courageous conversations build up. [17:33] Shift from knowing to doing with The Coaching Circle. [20:27] Take this week’s action step and share with us how it went. [22:02] Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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The Hidden Costs of Drive
05/05/2026
The Hidden Costs of Drive
Ever feel like the very drive that’s building your dreams is running your life instead of serving it? If you're the woman everyone admires for getting it all done, but you secretly wonder what it’s costing you, this episode is for you. Today, I’m calling out the hidden costs of unchecked overdrive and allowing drive to become our default operating system: constant urgency, the struggle to pause for what really matters, and the slow fade of relationships we hold dear. But there’s a solution for this and I’ll explain why it isn’t eliminating ambition and how to restore your balance. This conversation is about more than productivity. It’s about making sure our ambition actually takes us somewhere we want to go. Let’s make every effort and every moment count. Show Highlights: A story about missing out due to drive and what caused it. [00:46] Identifying the line between ambition and overdrive. [03:05] The gift of drive as a tool vs. an operating system. [05:58] How the Coaching Circle resolves deeply wired imbalances. [08:27] The costs of constant internal urgency. [09:07] What’s the actual pace of recovery we need? [10:35] The problem of optimizing the wrong problems. [11:56] How overdrive leads to relationship drift. [14:07] The skill of intentional drive modulation. [17:54] Exiting overdrive culture for a setting for retraining healthy drive. [19:32] The value of the Coaching Circle and how to sign up. [21:04] Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Why Highly Competent Women Still Feel Overwhelmed (And What I Built to Help)
04/28/2026
Why Highly Competent Women Still Feel Overwhelmed (And What I Built to Help)
Have you ever wondered why, despite being wildly competent and organized, you sometimes still feel like everything is just too much? I know that feeling well, and I’m sharing my take on why so many accomplished women live in overwhelm - it’s certainly not because we aren’t capable! Sometimes we even know what to do but we can’t make time to do it. So this week I’m introducing something brand new - The Coaching Circle - to bridge the gap between knowing and doing when it comes to Brilliant Balance practices. If you’re ready for more ease, less overwhelm, and a circle of women who truly get it, this one’s for you. Show Highlights: When overwhelm hit the tipping point in my personal story. [00:54] How getting coaching provided me with a “map” and ease. [03:21] The undercurrent of pressure in competent women. [06:17] Can an outdated “life OS” manage peak complexity levels? [07:57] The crisis of insight not leading to action and change. [11:03] Introducing The Coaching Circle by Brilliant Balance [14:03] How the Coaching Circle works and its unique benefits. [17:52] Structural challenges women face that aren’t personal failures. [20:49] Learn who this is ideal for and see if or sounds like you. [22:15] Discover the three elements that drive real change. [26:57] Details and topic of the first Coaching Circle master class. [28:26] If you're ready to have structure and support to apply the ideas you learn on the podcast, check out The Coaching Circle: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Functional Freeze: The Hidden Nervous System Pattern Holding Women Back with Beatriz Albina
04/21/2026
Functional Freeze: The Hidden Nervous System Pattern Holding Women Back with Beatriz Albina
This week, I’m joined by Beatriz Albina, a nurse practitioner, somatic coach, and the bestselling author of End Emotional Outsourcing, to discuss a hidden nervous system epidemic among professional women: “functional freeze.” Do you look poised and unstoppable on the outside, but often feel disconnected from yourself? Beatriz breaks down the functional freeze phenomenon and “emotional outsourcing,” the reason you might be stuck in a pattern of overgiving, perfectionism, and people-pleasing.She explains how chronic disconnection from our bodies is a protective response deeply rooted in our nervous systems. This compassionate and science-backed conversation will illuminate why willpower alone isn’t the answer—and how you can begin to reclaim your self-trust and honor your humanness to design an authentic, brilliant next chapter. Don’t miss it! Show Highlights: What is functional freeze? [04:05] Is functional freeze a common problem? [07:18] Emotional outsourcing vs. healthy co-regulation. [09:30] Navigating the self and curiosity vs. external expectations. [12:45] The importance of finding “grown-up” support and a “village.” [17:22] Why somatic, body-based nervous system rewiring matters. [18:20] A simple “What am I feeling right now?” awareness self-check. [19:44] Reconnection practices to check in with your body and honor it. [21:43] The need to heal from “I’m fine” conditioning. [28:05] Where to find Beatriz Albina’s free resources and her book. [32:29] To find Beatriz Albina's work and the free meditations she's offering: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Setting Boundaries That Actually Hold: Listener Questions Answered
04/14/2026
Setting Boundaries That Actually Hold: Listener Questions Answered
Today, I’m mixing things up a bit by answering YOUR questions all about setting boundaries that actually hold, especially at work. If you’ve ever found it tough to say no, wondered how to handle tricky power dynamics, or felt overwhelmed by requests after hours, you’re in the right place. I’ll share five real situations that listeners have asked about, along with practical strategies you can use right away. You’ll hear about everything from managing expectations with leaders to finding your voice as the “new person” in the office. My hope is that you’ll recognize your own experiences, pick up some actionable tips, and start shaping boundaries that help you shine without burning out. Show Highlights: Don’t miss Kate Northrup’s free “Good with Money” workshop. [00:56] What boundaries mean beyond just saying no. [03:52] Boundary setting with senior leaders who ignore preferences. [04:23] Consistency as the key to fostering boundary respect. [07:43] How to make a work increase you can't refuse negotiable. [08:09] Creating clarity without saying no. [11:33] Resetting after-hours etiquette with always-on colleagues. [12:12] Benefits of “beginning as you mean to go on” in a new job. [17:07] Tips for avoiding unpaid work and protecting your time. [20:26] Are you letting others define your boundaries for you? [27:02] To register for Kate Northrup’s Good with Money Free Masterclass click here: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Life is not linear: If I had known then what I know now about the momentum cycle
04/07/2026
Life is not linear: If I had known then what I know now about the momentum cycle
Today, I’m sharing a simple truth that often goes unspoken: life is not linear. We’re conditioned to believe that progress should be a steady, upward journey, but what if our lives actually operate in cycles, not straight lines? I’m unpacking the “momentum cycle” and exploring why your energy, creativity, and focus naturally ebb and flow through distinct seasons—surges of expansion, hard stops of crisis, the uncertainty of transitions, and the necessity of recovery—and why striving to always be at your peak can actually hinder your progress. If you’re tired of measuring your life against an unfair expectation of nonstop achievement, tune in for fresh insights on honoring your energy, matching your actions to your current season, and finding power, even in the pauses. Show Highlights: Details of Kate Northrup’s upcoming money workshop. [00:59] The fallacy that life is linear vs. the “momentum cycle.” [03:44] The highs and gradual low of growth and expansion. [07:31] Navigating crisis periods with focus. [09:40] How transition and change can become accelerators. [12:49] Do you allow yourself time to recover and heal? [16:59] Suffering due to misaligned output and capacity. [21:00] How can you honor your human limits? [24:57] The power and opportunity in pausing. [26:24] Find out whether you're in sync with your phase. [28:53] The joy of trusting the cycle and celebrating others’ wins. [30:00] To register for Good with Money click here: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Getting Good with Money: A Conversation with Kate Northrup
03/31/2026
Getting Good with Money: A Conversation with Kate Northrup
Today, I’m sitting down for an eye-opening conversation about wealth with bestselling author, entrepreneur, and creator of the Relaxed Money Method, Kate Northrup, who brings a refreshing perspective on money—seeing it as a relationship, not just a set of numbers. Why does making good money not necessarily make us good with money? Kate explains to us how our stories about money shift through life’s seasons, the surprising role our nervous system plays in financial decision-making, and why feeling truly safe with abundance is the real prize. If you’ve struggled with the tension between ambition and the pull of “real life,” or financial shame and secrecy, take the first step to recalibrating your relationship with wealth with Kate’s wisdom. After the episode, you may want to join Kate’s upcoming workshop! Show Highlights: Money as a number vs. a relationship in your real context. [02:17] Reimagine financial tasks with the “money date” concept. [05:02] Financial shame in successful women and the cost of secrecy. [08:19] The real key to being good with money beyond the topline. [11:47] Uncouple your identity and nervous system from money beliefs. [18:23] How to power-reset your nervous system. [24:07] The lie of scarcity and separation vs. energy of clarity. [30:01] Kate Northrup’s free “Good with Money” workshop. [38:24] Check out Kate’s podcast Plenty. [41:13] To register for Good with Money, click here: To find Kate's podcast Plenty: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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When Being Liked Becomes a Limiter
03/24/2026
When Being Liked Becomes a Limiter
Are you ready to reevaluate how much being liked really matters? In this episode, I’m talking about the surprising, powerful, and sometimes uncomfortable truth that seeking approval can actually keep us from reaching our full potential. I’ll explain how the need to be liked is a fuel woven into our early lives and careers, but then becomes a constraint as we step into midlife and leadership roles. I’ll show you why we need to trade our need for approval for clarity, courage, and the kind of power that inspires true leadership—the power of shifting focus from managing perceptions to forging real outcomes. If you’ve felt the powerful pull of wanting to be liked, ever softened your opinions, over-accommodated, or hesitated to claim your authority for fear of ruffling feathers, you know what this episode is about. Tune in to discover how trading approval for influence can open up a chapter of freedom and impact, and the legacy you crave! Show Highlights: What does our need for approval stem from? [01:05] The early power of approval and high-achiever conditioning. [04:35] How approval becomes a clashing limiter at midlife. [06:47] Approval-oriented vs. power/influence-oriented behaviors. [07:45] Understand true power. [11:48] Learning to withstand disapproval and hold your own. [13:46] Costs of overoptimizing for approval and underclaiming space. [15:42] The “I” statements of the “liked” vs. “influential” identity. [18:58] Five steps to reclaim influence without approval polling. [21:08] The benefits of earning influence over approval. [24:02] Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Carrying the Family: The Burden & Blessing of Daughtering with Dr. Allison Alford
03/17/2026
Carrying the Family: The Burden & Blessing of Daughtering with Dr. Allison Alford
Today, I’m joined by communication scholar and Baylor professor Dr. Allison Alford to shine a light on a topic that speaks directly to the heart of so many women—the often unseen work of “daughtering.” If you’re the steady anchor of your family, the go-to for remembering birthdays, managing sibling dynamics, and smoothing over tensions before anyone else even notices, this conversation is for you! Dr. Alford is the author of Good Daughtering and brings wisdom, empathy, and refreshing clarity to the subtle yet significant roles that many professional women carry as adult daughters, and the interplay of obligation and autonomy, devotion and depletion. She offers practical strategies to lighten your load, reclaim your agency, and reshape your definition of what it means to be “enough.” You’ll discover why recognizing your "daughtering" labor is both liberating and essential. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on modeling daughtering, so tune in for inspiration to purposely create a life with a more sustainable, joyful balance! Show Highlights: What does “daughtering” mean? [05:06] The doing, thinking, feeling, and being work of daughters. [06:34] Acknowledging the blessing/burden duality of daughtering. [11:45] Is it love or duty that motivates daughtering work? [13:04] Identifying hedonic vs. eudaimonic happiness. [13:39] How daughtering can shift to overfunctioning and resentment. [16:21] Research findings on daughter and son roles in family care. [19:36] Redefining “enough” and embracing being a B+ daughter. [23:18] How to practice microdosing daughtering and agency. [26:01] Self-care as daughters and modeling it for the next generation. [28:44] Dr. Alford’s book and where to find her work or contact her. [31:46] Connect with Allison Alford here: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Decide Like the Woman You’re Becoming
03/10/2026
Decide Like the Woman You’re Becoming
If you’re like me, you know you aren’t the same woman you were a year or even a month ago. In this episode, I’m inviting you to make a powerful shift—to make decisions like the woman you're becoming, not the one you’re outgrowing. I’ll talk about how easy it is to default to comfort zones, old identities, or the opinions of others, the pitfalls of letting those steer our lives, and why that keeps us playing small. Let’s explore how tapping into the insight, courage, and vision of our future selves can lead us to choices that have the power to excite, stretch, and fulfill us. This episode is a practical invitation to recalibrate, break free from old patterns, and start making decisions today that your future self will thank you for! Let’s craft our next chapters—one intentional decision at a time. Show Highlights: Are your choices aligned with your evolving identity? [00:46] A reflective exercise to do with your 16-year-old self. [04:30] Why present-moment decisions are a trap at life’s inflection-points. [07:22] Meet a VVIP—your future self. [10:18] Five common drivers of current decisions. [11:04] How to harness vision to question familiar patterns. [17:31] The power of “possibilities” thinking vs. constraints. [18:36] What story do you want to tell with courage over fear? [19:12] Tap into long-term satisfaction in the painful now. [20:00] Learning to honor the opinion of your future self. [21:09] Share your present and future story with us or DM for support. [22:16] Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group:
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Success Looks Different in Every Season—Cherylanne Is Interviewed by Molly Asplin
03/03/2026
Success Looks Different in Every Season—Cherylanne Is Interviewed by Molly Asplin
Today, I’m handing over the host chair and letting you in on a different conversation, where I’m the one answering the questions! In this episode, which I’m re-airing after we recorded it for her show, Molly Asplin interviews me about the story behind Brilliant Balance, my leap from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and why our personal definitions of success matter more than any universal standard. We talk about the seasons of our lives, the messy reality behind the highlight reels, and how giving ourselves permission to embrace the “now” can change everything. If you’ve ever wrestled with burnout, perfectionism, or the belief that you just can’t press pause, I promise you’ll feel seen here. Grab your coffee, settle in, and join us for a fresh perspective on designing a brilliant, balanced life, your way. Show Highlights: How I left P&G with financial runways to launch a business. [03:43] Align your pace with life’s growth and recovery seasons. [10:56] Are you living by outdated standards of success? [18:16] How to name your season and reset your rhythm. [20:23] The power of intentional calendar curation. [24:12] Energy management essentials for health and resilience. [27:44] What’s procrastination perfectionism? [32:05] Separating social narratives from yourself as a woman. [34:56] The pendulum shift to recovery from career overdrive. [41:08] Permission for tired women to sleep and get support. [42:41] Check out my Momentum Playbook and other helpful tools. [45:51] To find Molly Asplin's podcast The Modern High Performer, visit https://mollyasplin.com/modern-high-performer-podcast/. Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki
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You vs. You: Why Inner Conflict Makes Everything Harder with Dana Bernstein
02/24/2026
You vs. You: Why Inner Conflict Makes Everything Harder with Dana Bernstein
Ever find yourself stuck in an endless loop of overthinking, self-doubt, or battling between what you want and what you “should” do? To get to the heart of this inner tug-of-war, today, I’m joined by Dana Bernstein, principal of Dare to Live Brave and author of It's the Thought that Counts: Mastering the Art of YOU vs. You. Dana is a conflict resolution coach, helping professionals in high-stakes environments like universities, government, banking, and the court system. We’re talking real-life inner conflict between ambition and self-doubt, or when your values feel like they’re battling for control. Dana breaks down why labeling our emotions is magic and how knowing exactly what drives you can shift everything about how you show up, not just in tough conversations, but in your biggest moments. Join us if you're ready for powerful stories, actionable steps, and plenty of aha moments to reclaim your power and move forward as your most empowered, graceful self (even in the messiest moments) to the big, bold life you envision. Show Highlights: Understanding competing values in the “YOU vs. You” conflict. [02:40] Inner conflict in women and why self-discovery matters. [04:13] Discover your best self with leveraged values and “Who” words. [05:22] How to “pause, ponder, pivot” when you feel triggered. [07:05] The rider, elephant and peanuts analogy for emotions and reasoning. [08:19] Practicing the pause effectively and advance preparation. [11:10] In-the-moment conflict vs. after-the fact conflict. [13:52] The power of self-mastery over negotiation in conflict resolution. [15:31] What do you feed your mind, ice cream vs. bananas? [19:09] Using body awareness as early warnings of conflict activation. [23:23] Self-compassion and living clean between your ears. [24:58] To take the Who assessment: To find Danas book: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Don’t Miss the Life You’re Actually Living
02/17/2026
Don’t Miss the Life You’re Actually Living
Ever feel like you're always racing toward the next big milestone and forgetting to savor the moments of the life you’re actually living? In this episode, I’m discussing how we can easily overlook the lives we’re truly living, continually focused on what’s next, waiting for things to settle down, missing out on the present. I’m talking about my own recent experience of this and the common patterns I see among high-achieving women: treating our current chapter as just a stepping stone, constantly planning, or having trouble letting the good moments sink in. With relatable reflections and practical suggestions, I’ll share ways to help you notice the goodness in your daily life and become more present, even when things feel messy or transitional. This episode is here to remind you: you don’t need a different life to feel more joy—you just need to truly be here for the one you have. Let’s rediscover the brilliance in our everyday moments. Show Highlights: The subtle problem of missing the moment. [00:46] “Spotlight Session” advantage in our BOLD community. [02:54] Why “now” is not a placeholder for real life. [04:15] Future-focused living due to overactive competence. [07:14] The importance of reframing presence. [10:12] Letting the good land to enjoy full presence. [11:00] What is ease and flow? [13:11] How patterns of not living in the present turn into a loop. [13:46] Practice noticing and appreciating the life you have. [16:01] Ways to share and support the show. [17:31] Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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When Health Optimization Becomes Another Job
02/10/2026
When Health Optimization Becomes Another Job
Today, I’m taking a closer look at the growing pressure so many of us feel around health optimization, especially during midlife, when simply keeping up with the latest wellness and beauty trends and advice can start to feel like another full-time job. I’m breaking down why health information and solutions constantly inundate us, and the mental and financial costs of trying to do it all, and I'm sharing practical ways to bring more ease and intention back into our daily routines. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by constantly shifting “rules” or found yourself buried in trackers, apps, wearables, and endless wellness products, this episode is your permission slip to turn down the noise and refocus on what truly supports your well-being. We can reclaim self-care as something that fits into our lives rather than another source of stress. Show Highlights: The growing weight of health advice. [00:53] Understanding the strategic health industry trap. [03:51] The engineered pressure to solve perceived problems. [06:18] Tracking fatigue and why more data isn’t always better care. [07:12] Consciously choosing what not to track or act upon. [09:37] Shifting from performative to supportive self-care. [10:18] What should be the actual role of health and self-care? [11:38] Practical steps to curate health inputs and regain balance. [12:43] Where does vanity pressure end and health begin in marketing? [15:06] Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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The ROI of Invisible Labor: A New Lens on Women’s Leadership with Aimee Rickabus
02/03/2026
The ROI of Invisible Labor: A New Lens on Women’s Leadership with Aimee Rickabus
This week, I’m sitting down with Aimee Rickabus, powerhouse entrepreneur, author, mother of six, and CEO of Tomahawk Information Solutions, to shine a light on the invisible labor women manage every day and reveal its surprising ROI. Aimee shares her experience of managing both her business and a bustling family, and how she has built executive-level skills along the way, turning household micro decision power into strategic thinking and leadership. We discuss the idea that success shouldn’t be viewed as a relentless climb up a ladder, but more as tending to a garden, acknowledging the varied and shifting seasons of life. Aimee has practical strategies for you to make your invisible work visible, leverage it in your career, and optimize your time and energy through technology. If you’ve never wondered how all those behind-the-scenes efforts are training grounds for high-level skills, this episode will feel like a breath of fresh air. Show Highlights: The eye-opening mirror of home and business leadership. [02:16] Mothers’ mental load of micro decisions and interruptions. [03:18] How being a mom hones emotional intelligence. [06:00] The powerful ability to say no learnable in motherhood. [06:59] Empathy-driven leadership shaped by parenthood. [07:30] Gaining project management skills at home. [08:26] The strategic value of invisible labor. [09:22] Embracing success as a “garden” with life’s seasons. [10:54] What’s the cadence of authentic female leadership? [13:01] Make invisible tasks conscious—then optimize and/or automate. [15:41] Why tech adoption is your gateway to legacy projects. [19:36] Ways to connect with Aimee and get her book. [25:43] To find Aimee's work, book, and podcast, visit: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Building habits for your hard days
01/27/2026
Building habits for your hard days
If you’re tired of seeing your good habits crumble when life gets messy, today’s episode is a must-listen. I’m revealing why our routines often fail, and it’s not because we aren’t disciplined. You’ll learn my “minimum viable dose” strategy, which makes it easy to stick with your habits even when motivation is low or your schedule is off track. I’ll show you how making small adjustments can help you keep promises to yourself, with actionable tips for building your Plan A, Plan B (and Plan C!), so you can keep moving forward even on the toughest days. Say goodbye to all-or-nothing thinking and embrace a more resilient approach to self-care, productivity, and growth. Hit play now and let’s build habits that truly last! Show Highlights: Do motivated women over-design ideal habit systems? [00:48] Why ideal habits fail. [02:57] The problem with aiming for streaks. [03:48] Building habits for hard days. [05:32] What’s the “minimum viable dose” of a habit? [05:57] Defining habit Plans A to C—ideal to minimum viable dose. [06:49] Win with “one is greater than zero” thinking. [11:17] How to apply the advice in this episode to your habits. [13:17] Plan C as the key to building consistent habits. [15:48] How self-trust, not competition, is the true goal of habits. [16:35] Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Accountability is a forcing function
01/20/2026
Accountability is a forcing function
Today, I’m looking at the idea of using accountability as a “forcing function” that can transform our cherished goals from wishful intentions into accomplished realities. If you ever wonder why our work projects always seem to get done while personal goals keep getting relegated to “someday,” this episode will hit home. I’m sharing why our personal lives lack the built-in accountability and structures that make professional commitments non-negotiable, because, get this, motivation isn’t enough. I’ll explain that with examples, insights from behavioral science, and actionable steps to harness accountability mechanisms to accomplish your most important priorities. Discover the value of enlisting paid professionals (and even some unlikely familiar faces) as accountability allies! Accountability doesn’t add pressure! It powerfully creates freedom by clearing space for what matters most to you. I’m inviting you to hit play and discover a few simple shifts to make this your year to soar. Show Highlights: Last call to register for our free January workshop. [00:47] Why do work goals win and personal goals get shelved? [03:09] Forcing functions and accountability power. [05:23] Can self-sufficiency beliefs hinder external accountability? [07:44] Why “obligers” need accountability mechanisms. [08:26] Emotional reasons for resisting accountability. [09:38] Make your employees and kids your accountability partners. [12:08] Low-leverage accountability pitfalls vs. mutual accountability. [14:19] Ensuring success with high-leverage paid accountability. [16:19] Reframing constraints as freedom for “rebels.” [19:05] Register for my free workshop "Make Your Week Work for You": Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Breaking the Maybe Mindset
01/13/2026
Breaking the Maybe Mindset
Ever find yourself circling around a decision, stuck between yes and no, with a big “maybe” holding you back? This week, I’m pulling back the curtain on the “maybe mindset”...that quiet habit of postponing meaningful choices and playing it safe. I’ll share why it’s so tempting to linger in indecision, the real price we pay for not committing, and practical strategies for finally breaking that cycle. Expect honest recollections, a fresh perspective on why clarity doesn’t require perfect certainty, and a powerful invitation to make bolder, more confident choices. If you’re ready to stop living in limbo and start moving forward, don’t miss this episode. Show Highlights: Have you spotted your euphemisms for “maybe”? [00:51] The true costs of the “maybe mindset.” [04:30] Paralysis of options and how to overcome it. [05:56] The comfort zone conundrum. [08:11] The illusion of abundant time. [09:53] Ask “What would have to be true to say yes?” as a clarifier. [13:23] Weighing the cost of a no. [15:56] The power of breaking big choices into small steps. [18:05] Why embracing uncertainty leads to growth. [19:37] Clarity through a clear yes and a clear no. [20:50] Register for my free workshop "Make Your Week Work for You": Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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The myth of the "perfect choice"
01/06/2026
The myth of the "perfect choice"
Happy New Year! As we kick off the new year with a fresh season of possibilities and clean, blank calendar pages, the pressure to make “just right” choices can trip us up in our careers and personal lives, or even when managing our week. So, today, I’m discussing the myth of the “perfect choice.” I’m taking a close look at how perfectionism and procrastination go hand in hand, keeping us from taking action. I’ll share my honest experiences and a practical framework to help you break out of analysis paralysis, with a gentle reminder that progress happens when we act, not when we wait for certainty—it’s movement, not perfection, that creates clarity and momentum. Plus, I have a free live workshop lined up to help you reclaim your week. Let’s make this your year of progress, one bold decision at a time! Show Highlights: Why the New Year’s fresh start can get overwhelming. [00:50] The disguises of perfectionism and procrastination. [02:05] The “perfect choice” myth vs. multiple good choices. [02:54] What waiting costs in facets of real life. [04:16] How clarity comes after taking the first step, not before. [07:45] A four-step framework to overcome perfection paralysis. [08:44] Do you face paralysis in everyday, small decisions? [10:47] Pattern correction with a “life in miniature” view of the week. [11:52] Upcoming free live workshop: “Make Your Week Work for You” [13:52] A word of caution to protect your time for the workshop. [15:18] Register for my free workshop"Make Your Week Work for You": Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Instead of Resolutions, Try This
12/30/2025
Instead of Resolutions, Try This
Ready to make this your most extraordinary year yet—without the pressure of unrealistic resolutions? In this episode, I’m challenging the usual approach to New Year’s resolutions and sharing a refreshing perspective to kick off your year. As we head into January, it’s so easy to get caught up in creating grand resolutions and making bold promises for change. But as I discuss, these resolutions often burn bright and then quickly fizzle, leaving us feeling frustrated or behind. Instead, I’m inviting you to focus on something much more powerful—making small, intentional choices every day. I’ll explain why these smaller, consistent decisions matter far more than sweeping resolutions and how they can help you become the best version of yourself, step by step. Tune in and step into a year without the pressure of traditional resolutions! Show Highlights: Rethinking New Year’s resolutions. [00:46] Inviting you to sign up for BRAVE for deeper change. [02:19] The power of small choices vs. broad resolutions. [04:06] Making the best choice in the present with agility. [06:32] Why meaningful progress is invisible and courageous. [09:27] Choosing the next right step toward lasting transformation. [11:02] Becoming your best self, not a whole new you. [12:44] We're here to support you with BOLD and BRAVE in 2026. [13:13] If you’re ready to make courageous choices that create a life you love, join the BRAVE waitlist today: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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Permission to pause
12/23/2025
Permission to pause
Today, I want to talk with you about giving yourself permission to pause. As we move through a season that’s usually packed with busyness and long to-do lists, I’m inviting you to slow down—truly rest and enjoy the present moment without feeling guilty or needing to justify it. In this episode, I’m sharing why stepping out of your normal routine, even just for a little while, can help you feel more clear-headed, creative, and connected with the people around you. I believe taking this kind of pause sets us up to enter the new year feeling grounded and restored. Let’s let go of the constant push for productivity and embrace a week of presence, laughter, and simple joy, and enjoy what happens when we allow ourselves to just be. Happy Holidays! Show Highlights: Permission to pause and rest this holiday. [00:48] Challenging the urge to use downtime for productivity. [01:50] Embracing presence and the magic of slowing down. [03:06] The personal benefits of pausing. [05:52] Explicit permission to release productivity guilt. [06:38] Will you join the collective pause this holiday? [07:51] If you’re ready to make courageous choices that create a life you love, join the BRAVE waitlist today: Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: Follow Cherylanne on Instagram:
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