We explore the crucial difference between change driven by fear versus change pulled by desire, and why many women struggle to connect with what they truly want. This mindset shift is essential for breaking free from burnout and creating a life of joy and fulfillment rather than mere survival.

• Running from fear (the modern "lions" of bosses, inboxes, and perfectionism) creates unsustainable change and leads to burnout
• Sustainable change happens when we're pulled toward our desires, not pushed by fear
• Many women don't know what they truly want or don't give themselves permission to want it
• We create endless resentment by only allowing ourselves desires after meeting everyone else's needs
• Our analytical minds often strangle desires by demanding to know "how" before embracing the "what"
• Embracing desire requires developing a sense of worthiness that doesn't need to be earned
• True transformation comes when the fear of staying where you are outweighs the fear of the unknown

If this resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it today, and don't forget to subscribe to Balance and Beyond for full episodes and more of these bite-sized breakthroughs.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

What if your most trusted career strategy—collect more proof—has been the very thing keeping you from real confidence? We dig into the hidden gap between competence and confidence and explain why high achievers feel like imposters despite glowing resumes, promotions, and degrees. Drawing on years of coaching women at every level, we unpack the early conditioning that links safety to perfection and people-pleasing, and we show how that wiring turns us into validation seekers who outsource worth to gold stars and inbox zero.

From there, we explore the cost of living on proof: over-preparation, constant availability, and the slow erosion of self-trust. You’ll hear a candid story about chasing praise in the smallest corners of life and the sobering realisation that external approval dries up as you rise. That’s the turning point—shifting from certainty to courage, from performance metrics to inner measures. We offer a practical way forward with the Confidence Compass: identity, worth, boundaries, voice, regulation, and competence. Each point acts as a doorway back to self-trust so you can make clean decisions, hold firm lines, and act before anyone hands you permission.

Expect simple, usable steps: naming your skills without minimising, choosing one boundary and holding it through discomfort, slowing your responses to decouple speed from value, and regulating your body so you can choose rather than react. The result is a rebalanced life where competence earns respect and confidence grants freedom—the freedom to back yourself without another certificate, to say no without guilt, and to move through uncertainty with steadier nerves.

If this conversation resonates, share it with a friend who needs the reminder that she already knows enough. And if our show supports you, tap follow, leave a quick review, and tell us: which point of the compass will you strengthen this week?

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too much,” this conversation hands you the mic back. We trace the quiet conditioning that teaches high achievers to shrink—dial down ambition, soften edges, and convert natural ease into proof of effort. That script morphs into “because I could, I should,” a mantra that hijacks strengths and turns them into obligations. The result? Endless hustle, moving goalposts, and wins that feel strangely hollow.

We open up about the years spent overfunctioning—carrying more because we could, working faster because we could, and mistaking exhaustion for excellence. There’s a moment when the mask slips: someone doesn’t like us, and our nervous system wants to collapse into smaller. Instead, we reframe rejection as information, not indictment. That shift clears space to see intensity, drive, and clarity as tools to be chosen, not debts to be paid. We talk about how to set boundaries without guilt, redefine enoughness, and listen to the body’s feedback so ease stops feeling suspicious.

From there, we lean into identity: owning the “unicorn” label as a bridge, not a burden. When we stop pretending to be regular horses, the right people can finally find us. We meet fellow unicorns—ambitious, compassionate, self-aware humans—who hold both standards and softness. Together, we swap performance for presence and approval for alignment. You’ll hear practical ways to retire the hustle identity, right-size responsibility, and place your gifts where they’re welcomed. The takeaway is simple and strong: you are allowed to be as much as you are, and you don’t owe anyone your burnout.

If this landed, share it with someone who needs the reminder and hit subscribe to get future Moments and full conversations. Leave a quick review to help more unicorns find their herd.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

Are you drowning in an endless sea of more? More work, more expectations, more skills required—all while racing against diminishing time and resources? What if I told you that success isn't coming from doing more, but is actually being stolen by it?

The dark art of strategic subtraction might just be the revolutionary approach you need. In this eye-opening episode, I challenge the fundamental belief that adding more to your plate leads to greater achievement. Instead, I reveal how intentionally doing less could be your secret weapon for getting ahead in our frantic, always-on world.

We explore the powerful metaphor of glass balls versus rubber balls—how we mistakenly treat all our responsibilities as fragile and irreplaceable when many will bounce back just fine without our constant attention. Through practical examples, you'll discover how to make emails shorter and more impactful, decline unnecessary meetings, batch your inbox time, and embrace the liberating mantra that "done is better than perfect."

But strategic subtraction isn't just about practical tactics—it's about identity. The real barrier preventing you from doing less isn't external demands but your internal programming that equates constant activity with safety, value, and significance. We dive deep into why this identity shift can feel so threatening and how embracing a new sense of self might be the most rewarding journey of your life.

Whether you're a corporate professional, entrepreneur, or anyone feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, this episode offers a fresh perspective on success that doesn't require running faster on an increasingly accelerating treadmill. Success isn't just about what you hold—it's about what you strategically subtract. Ready to redefine what matters and reclaim your time, energy, and peace of mind? This conversation is your starting point.

To view the Transcript from this week's episode, visit our Balance & Beyond Podcast webpage: https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast/2025/120

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

We're navigating a once-in-a-generation shift as women balancing careers and motherhood. Understanding our place in history helps us recognize we're not alone in wanting both professional success and present parenting.

• Within just one generation, women have moved from needing male cosigners for bank accounts to comprising half the workforce
• Until the 1960s, it was legal to refuse employment to women solely because of their gender
• Most families today require two incomes, yet our subconscious programming still creates guilt around working motherhood
• We are actively redefining what "having it all" means for our generation, breaking away from historical constraints
• Finding your tribe of like-minded women is essential for support, sharing insights, and creating new possibilities
• Understanding our role in this generational shift empowers us to create new patterns for our children

Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it today, and don't forget to subscribe to Balance and Beyond for full episodes and more bite-sized breakthroughs.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

Ever felt like your confidence vanished overnight? That spark of self-trust gradually eroded by society's constant message that you're simply not enough? You're far from alone.

In this transformative conversation with Cortney McDermott—motivational speaker, bestselling author, and advisor to Fortune 500 executives—we uncover the hidden path back to trusting yourself in a world designed to keep you searching elsewhere.

Cortney reveals how our relentless pursuit of external success creates what she calls being "miserably successful"—checking all society's boxes while feeling empty inside. But rather than offering another complicated solution, she shares a revolutionary approach: rest as the gateway to reclaiming your power.

"True confidence is self-trust," Cortney explains, challenging us to move beyond masculine-energy approaches to transformation that focus solely on results. Instead, she invites us to remember our innate feminine wisdom through micro-moments of relaxation, play, and embodiment that compound over time like interest.

Through powerful stories and practical guidance, you'll discover how even two minutes of horizontal rest can shift your brainwave frequencies, why your body holds the key to releasing years of stagnant energy, and how to unlock what Cortney calls "the certificate of enough-ness" that can only come from within.

Whether you're feeling the whispers of "is this all there is?" or facing a full-blown Phoenix moment of transformation, this episode offers a permission slip to relax into your authentic power. Because your journey back to self-trust isn't about adding more—it's about remembering what you've always known.

Ready to transform your relationship with rest, reclaim your confidence, and access your inner wisdom? This conversation might just change everything.

Want to see more of Cortney? You can find her here!

Website: https://www.cortneymcdermott.com/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cortneymcdermott/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cortneymcdermott/ 

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

As AI capabilities rapidly advance, women who've built their identities on being the smartest and most dependable in the room are facing a confidence crisis as these traits are being replaced by technology that doesn't tire or have family obligations.

• Many women are responding by working even harder and trying to "outgrit the algorithm"
• Learning about AI is valuable, but using it just to get more done accelerates burnout
• This technological shift is threatening not just roles but identities
• Confidence based on control isn't real confidence—it's survival mode
• We're entering an era of constant uncertainty where the pace of change will increase exponentially
• The new competitive edge is in humanity—what AI cannot replicate
• Future success depends on the ability to sit in the unknown without falling apart
• Real confidence comes from "I've got this because I am me" rather than "because I've done the work"
• Becoming irreplaceable means developing presence, wisdom, emotional steadiness, and self-trust

If this resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it today, and don't forget to subscribe to Balance and Beyond for full episodes and more of these bite-sized breakthroughs.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

Burnout doesn't just drain your energy—it shatters your confidence, leaving you disconnected from yourself and questioning who you really are beneath the high-achieving facade. The real struggle begins after the crash, when you're standing in the rubble of your former identity, wondering how to rebuild without using the same flawed blueprint that broke you.

This deeply personal exploration takes you beyond the clichés of "bouncing back" to reveal what truly happens in the aftermath of burnout. We uncover the painful reality that many ambitious women face: the loss of self-trust, the feeling of disconnection, and the identity freefall that occurs when your sense of self has been so tightly bound to achievement and control. The cycle continues because we keep trying to resurrect our former selves, pushing harder and faster, rather than recognising that a fundamentally different approach is needed.

The path forward isn't found in grand gestures or dramatic life changes, but in three powerful shortcuts that might seem deceptively simple. First, rebuild self-trust through micro-promises that you actually keep. Second, burn the rule book of conditioning that taught you your worth comes from achievement and perfectionism. Finally, create safety in your nervous system, recognising that confidence is a bodily sensation, not an intellectual concept you can think your way back to. This somatic approach explains why so many brilliant women struggle—if thinking alone could solve burnout, your capable mind would have done it already.

Your burnout wasn't a failure; it was the beginning of something true. Start with one promise, one breath, one moment of choosing yourself. It's a commitment you'll never regret. Ready to discover the toolkit that has helped thousands of women create a life of balance? Visit balanceinstitute.com and join our community of women who've learned to define success on their own terms.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

People pleasing behaviours develop in childhood and become deeply ingrained by age eight, creating a pattern where we believe we must earn love through meeting others' needs. This psychological conditioning leads to resentment, career limitations, and an inability to set boundaries that ultimately holds us back from becoming true leaders and women of influence.

• People pleasers have a strong need to be liked, are often high achievers, perfectionists, and struggle to say no
• The pattern begins as "parent pleasing" between ages 3-8 when children perceive parental love as conditional
• People pleasers develop an overdeveloped sense of personal responsibility for others' problems
• Constant people pleasing leads to resentment, bitterness, and feeling unappreciated
• Career advancement is limited because leadership requires making unpopular decisions
• You can say "no" to others (just as you do to your kids and yourself) once you understand and address these patterns

If this resonated, share it with a friend who needs to hear it today, and don't forget to subscribe to Balance and Beyond for full episodes and more of these bite-sized breakthroughs.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone

What happens when life forces you to completely step away from the business you've built over 30 years? For Jennifer, CEO of Integrity Marketing Solutions, this unexpected journey began with a breast cancer diagnosis that changed everything.

When Jennifer discovered she had metaplastic triple negative breast cancer—a rare and aggressive form affecting just 1% of breast cancer patients—the statistics were grim. With a 50% five-year survival rate, she made a powerful decision: "I just have to be in the top half of the class, and I've never not done that."

Throughout our conversation, Jennifer reveals the surprising factors that contributed most to her complete recovery. While most of us focus on diet, exercise, and avoiding toxins, research shows these are actually lower on the priority list for cancer survival. Instead, love, support, purpose, quality sleep, and stress reduction prove far more crucial—a revelation confirmed when her surgeon candidly told her that stepping away from her business "probably saved your life."

Perhaps most moving is Jennifer's decision to reject isolation and shame during her treatment. By openly sharing her journey, she discovered an "army of angels" who supported her through the darkest moments. This vulnerability created connection at a time when many cancer patients feel profoundly alone.

Jennifer's story transcends cancer, offering wisdom for anyone facing life's challenges: "You are not defined by your statistics or by your circumstances." Her journey reminds us that chronic stress requires more than management—it demands real change. Most importantly, she shares a message of hope that applies to everyone: your life is a gift worth living well.

Ready to reduce burnout and create more balance in your own life? Visit balanceinstitutecom for resources that have helped thousands of women thrive.

Send a text message to Jo

The Balance & Beyond Podcast Hosted by Jo Stone, founder of The Balance Institute

For women who are already succeeding, but beginning to wonder if they're willing to keep losing themselves in the process.

We know high achievers, because we are one. This podcast draws on Jo's 20 years in global leadership and thousands of hours coaching executives and ambitious women: the patterns she sees, how to untangle them, and what it actually takes to keep your success without paying for it with yourself.

If something landed today, there's more where that came from.

And if you know a woman this would resonate with, send it her way.

🎙️https://www.balanceinstitute.com/podcast
🔗 www.balanceinstitute.com
💼https://au.linkedin.com/in/stonejoanne
📷 @therealjostone