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 grow ...
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Cherylanne Skolnicki Podcasts
Today, I’m sharing one of my favorite and most practical topics: how to get your mornings running smoothly without all the stress. With the school year underway and work routines in full gear, I know firsthand how challenging it can be to get everyone out the door calmly. From missing shoes to uncharged laptops, those frantic mornings can throw off…
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Remaining Human in the Age of AI with Erica Keswin
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34:00
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34:00I’m so happy to have workplace strategist, bestselling author, and people-connection expert Erica Keswin join me in this episode for a timely conversation about life and workplace transformations in this age of AI. How can we stay connected in our technology-reshaped realities without sacrificing the values that make us uniquely human? Erica and I …
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This week, let’s confront an enemy many of us deal with: ourselves. If you find yourself stuck in a pattern of perfectionism, second-guessing your work, or feeling unsatisfied no matter what you accomplish, you’re definitely not alone, and this episode is for you. I'm taking a closer look at how we sometimes pile pressure on ourselves, whether that…
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Breaking Free: Escaping the Overwhelm Cycle
22:32
22:32
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22:32Have you ever felt like your to-do list is multiplying before your eyes and you’re barely able to keep up? In this episode, I’m sharing my own experiences with overwhelm and why so many ambitious women struggle with it as they juggle big dreams, demanding careers, and packed lives. You’ll hear how to spot the subtle signs that overwhelm has crept i…
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Build a Burnout Proof Life with Michelle Grosser
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35:27
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35:27I’m thrilled to introduce Michelle Grosser, a powerhouse former trial lawyer, law professor, and a mom of two, with a story so many of us can relate to: outward success paired with hidden exhaustion and stress. She seemed to be managing it all until her body and mind hit their limits. Today, she’s a nervous system strategist and the host of the Ali…
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The Bounce-Back Blueprint: How to Recover from a Setback and Reclaim Your Momentum
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16:39
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16:39In this episode, I’m exploring a topic that touches all of us, yet one we so rarely anticipate: setbacks. I’ll also reveal the art (and the necessity) of bouncing back from setbacks, how instead of defining us, they can shape us, helping us grow stronger, wiser, and more resilient. I’m going to talk about the two different types of setbacks—permane…
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Redefining Reasonable: It’s Time to Stop Overcompensating for Unrealistic Expectations
23:31
23:31
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23:31Today, I’m taking a close look at the invisible pressures so many ambitious women, including myself, face while trying to have it all. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly running… juggling work demands, family obligations, and the endless “extras” that keep life moving, this episode is for you. I’m calling out the unrealistic expectations we…
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The Weather Within: Making Sense of Emotions with Kathy Washburn
48:36
48:36
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48:36In today’s episode, we’re talking about a framework for making sense of our emotions with Kathy Washburn, a positive psychology practitioner, life coach, cancer survivor, and extraordinary human. We’ll explore her “emotional weather” metaphor, which offers a fresh perspective and actionable wisdom on the storms we can feel within. Kathy draws on he…
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"Be Her Now" Making your vision your reality with Julie Solomon
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38:35I’m so excited to bring you today’s episode because I had the pleasure of sitting down with the dynamic Julie Solomon, author, speaker, coach, and host of The Influencer Podcast, to talk about what it takes to turn our boldest visions into reality with her “Be her now” mantra. Julie reveals her evolution beyond her bestselling book Get What You Wan…
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Do you feel like the “noise” in your life is turned up way too high? Between buzzing phones, the din of a busy home, endless notifications, and the constant pulse of comparison, it can be nearly impossible to hear your own thoughts. Today, I’ll talk about the shocking impact of noise on our clarity, creativity, and sense of calm. I’m sharing how to…
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The Surprising Truth About Why You Do It All
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22:44
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22:44If you often catch yourself thinking, It’s just easier if I do it myself, this episode is for you. I’m sharing the truth behind why so many women try to do it all and how it’s holding us back from freedom and lasting happiness. I’ll share some of my own stories of control and explain how the drive to control often creates burnout and strained relat…
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How to Motivate Yourself When You're Just Not Feeling It
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20:39Today, I’m talking about something that hits close to home for so many of us: how to spark motivation on those days when you’re just not feeling it. Even though I’m ambitious by nature, there are days when motivation is tough to find. Whether it’s being stuck inside on a gorgeous summer day or just feeling bored with a routine that’s gotten stale, …
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Episode 400: What’s Next for You, for Me, and for Brilliant Balance
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19:36I can hardly believe this is the 400th episode of the Brilliant Balance show! Today, I’m taking a beat to honor the milestone and sharing some of the powerful shifts I’m seeing in women like us that will influence where we go from here. From letting go of “busy” as a badge of honor to seeking real connection and weaving more ease into our lives, I’…
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Today, I’m inviting you to shake up the routine of your daily life and revive the sparks of sheer delight, pleasure, and aliveness you may be missing lately. This week, I’m introducing the "Live a Little” challenge, a seven-day invitation to rediscover the small moments that make life truly worthwhile. From dancing in your kitchen to savoring a sun…
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The Two Levers of Leadership: Power and Influence
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28:03Today, I’m talking about the art of leading with both power and influence. After numerous conversations with college-aged women and coaching calls with experienced leaders, it’s evident that these two sides of leadership show up everywhere—at work, at home, and in our communities—but we often wrestle with when to exercise authority and when to win …
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When your problem solving becomes a problem
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27:34
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27:34Have you ever caught yourself slipping into “fixer mode,” always jumping in to solve everyone’s problems, sometimes before they even ask? In today’s episode, I’m sharing the psychology behind why so many of us feel compelled to take charge and what it’s really costing us (and those we care about most). You'll discover why being the go-to problem-so…
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Have you ever felt a tug in your heart that whispers, “There has to be more than this”? You’re not alone, and in today's episode, I’m sharing why ignoring that nudge could be holding you back from the vibrant, fulfilling life you deserve. I’ll shine a light on those subtle signs calling you forward, and we’ll talk honestly about why it’s so easy to…
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I am beyond excited to share today’s episode with you as I welcome the brilliant Jessica Zweig, dynamic entrepreneur, bestselling author, and renowned voice in spiritual alignment for business and life. Jessica is here with her latest book The Light Work and will explain the intersection of spirituality, personal growth, and joyful living. In our c…
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5 Little Reminders You Might Need Right Now
10:36
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10:36This week, I’m taking a step back from my usual focus on achievement and momentum to share five gentle reminders for anyone experiencing a tough season. If life feels heavy or overwhelming right now, tuck this episode away like a little love note in your pocket—it’s chock full of encouragement, perspective, and permission to honor where you are. I’…
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Finding Grit when you need it most with Shannon Huffman Polson
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46:40
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46:40In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Huffman Polson to talk about grit. Shannon is the founder of The Grit Institute and the author of The Grit Factor…a skill she honed by, among other things, being one of the first women to fly the Apache helicopter in the U.S. Army! Shannon shares her incredible journey from a shy Alaskan kid to breaking barr…
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How to Keep Moving Through Uncertain Times
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24:36In today's episode, we're exploring how to keep moving through uncertain times. You know that swirling feeling of facing too many unknowns and variables? Fear not, you're not alone, and even amidst this uncertainty, there is a path forward. I've got insights and strategies to keep you not just afloat, but moving forward! Plus, I'm inviting you to a…
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Money Mindset Series Part 4: Why the Smartest Investment You’ll Ever Make is YOU
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22:07Investing in yourself might seem out of the question. You think of it as ‘burning cash” and can’t see the return. But when you classify everything as an expense, it’s hard to see the right things as investments. You miss opportunities that come your way when you are only looking at one side of the equation. But when you learn to value investments i…
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Money Mindset Series Part 3: Is It Time to Break Through Your Income Ceiling?
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23:46
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23:46We probably all carry a little fear around money conversations… but when it comes to asking for more, it feels easier to budget (than ask for the income we deserve). When we cut back on spending or look at downsizing, we only end up thinking smaller. And when we think smaller, we will always feel limited. There will be no financial opportunities to…
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Money Mindset Series part 2: Are You Acting Like a CFO or a Kid with an Allowance?
28:01
28:01
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28:01Financial management is not a topic everyone wants to talk about. In fact, most people go out of their way to avoid money talk. Whether it’s a credit score that needs work or a budget that needs focus, finances aren’t always the easiest to discuss. But why do these conversations feel impossible to have? And how can we have a better relationship wit…
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Money Mindset Series Part 1: The Hidden Costs of Financial Fear
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27:33A lot of us have anxiety around money. We don’t like looking at our bank account, thinking about retirement or reviewing our expenses. But being afraid of finances costs you—and not just financially. In this episode, you’ll discover how to defeat financial fear and be more confident around money to have less stress and more balance. Want to remove …
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