In this solo episode, Erica’s back with some honest reflections on the complexities of friendship—especially when it comes to space, boundaries, and how connected we really need to be in our always-online world.

Prompted by a Reddit post about location-sharing gone too far, she dives into what happens when good intentions start crossing lines. From recognizing when a friendship no longer feels supportive to learning how to set boundaries without guilt, Erica offers real talk and gentle reminders about what healthy connection truly looks like.

In this second episode of our Balanced and Boujee Book Club, we dive into the second half of Fourth Wing—and things definitely heat up. From character growth to those unexpected plot twists, we unpack Violet’s journey through danger, trust, and the ever-complicated dynamics with Xaden, as well as the world she’s navigating as a rider. We chat about the power of friendships, the ups and downs of relationships, and the choices—both by the characters and the author—that kept us turning pages way past bedtime.

For our very first B&B Book Club episode, we’re diving into the first 15 chapters of Rebecca Yarros’ wildly addictive fantasy hit, Fourth Wing. 🐉✨ From Violet’s grit and resilience to her ride-or-die friendship with Rhiannon—and our hopes for where characters like Dain and General Sorrengail are headed—we’re unpacking all the dynamics that kept us hooked (and up way past bedtime). And of course, we can’t forget Xaden—the brooding, morally complex heartthrob who has us all rethinking our real-life standards for men.

Join us for a cozy book club convo where we squeal, speculate, and swoon together. 🔥

Miss us? We missed you!

Summer got busy - so we thought we’d get back into it with a catch up on all the things — evolving beauty standards, funny stories from a recent weekend in MKE, a not-so-great movie review, some shocking news we recently received, PLUS - we reveal our newest idea for the B&B community. 

Basically, it’s a little bit of pop culture, a little bit of personal chaos, and a whole lot of laughs. 

This week on Balanced and Boujee, we’re spilling the toxictea—literally.

Brooke sits down with health and wellness coach, Lauren Gilchrist, to chat all things toxin-free living. From sneaky chemicals hiding in everyday products to why your dog might need a cleaner shampoo too, Lauren breaks it all down in a way that’s approachable and empowering.We talk about how to spot when brands are just greenwashing, share resources that make your toxin-free product research quicker and easier, and explain why going toxin-free doesn’t mean you have to toss your entire bathroom cabinet overnight. It’s about simple swaps, building awareness, and making better choices when you can.✨ Episode Highlights:

- Toxic-free living is more important (and more doable) than you might think- Your products might be packing more than just fragrance...- The EU bans way more ingredients than the U.S. in food, cosmetics, and everyday products- Greenwashing 101: what it is and how not to fall for it- Helpful tools to protect yourself (and your fur babies!) from harmful ingredients- The power of starting small and staying curious about how your body reacts to the products you useLinks to resources mentioned: Get in touch with Lauren: ⁠https://www.wellandfreecoaching.com/⁠EWG website & Skin Deep Database: ⁠https://www.ewg.org/⁠ Yuka: ⁠https://yuka.io/en/⁠ CosDNA: ⁠https://cosdna.com/⁠

In this episode, we dive into the magic of slow mornings—the kind that actually set you up for a better day. We swap stories, share what’s worked (and what hasn’t), and talk about how you can create a morning routine that feels good, no matter what season of life you're in. Whether you’re solo, sharing space with a partner, or navigating chaos with kids, there is a way to carve out time for you. Spoiler: it doesn’t have to be complicated, and yes—you deserve it.

Episode Highlights

✨ How slowing down in the morning can change the whole vibe of your day
🕯️ Simple ways to build a morning ritual that actually feels good
💬 Why talking to your partner about your needs can make mornings smoother
👶 How to find “me time” in even the busiest households
💖 A reminder: prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary
🌅 Tips for adapting a slow morning routine to your current season of life

Friendships are always complicated, but creating and fostering male friendships can feel like another beast entirely. After a few episodes focused predominately on our female listeners, Erica decides to try her hand at navigating something she has only ever witnessed - creating and fostering a bromance. The male loneliness epidemic is still a prominent issue in America and men deserve the support and connection of friendship.

Erica discusses a young man's brave moment of vulnerability where he admits past mistakes that have impacted his ability to make and maintain friendships as well as his struggle adapting to life after college.

We hope this episode encourages men to seek community beyond traditional social settings and to embrace the journey of making new friends.

Just a girl hoping everyone can find connection and meaning - even the boys.

In this episode, Brooke is joined by Rosie Fonti—an online fitness and transformation coach dedicated to helping women feel unstoppable and build the life and body of their dreams. Rosie shares how her own health and fitness journey led her to launch her business and support other women on theirs.

Together, Rosie and Brooke unpack the common (and often harmful) misconceptions women face in the fitness world—like the pressure to “stay small,” the fear of building “too much” muscle, or the tendency to under eat to avoid weight gain. They also explore how perfectionism can disguise itself as discipline and end up sabotaging your well-being.

The conversation expands into entrepreneurship, touching on the power of taking action before you feel fully “ready,” and why trusting the process is key.

Episode Highlights:

• The truth about dieting—and why under-eating is one of the biggest mistakes women make for their health, aesthetic goals, and overall wellness
• Why gaining weight doesn’t have to be scary
• How perfectionism can hide behind “healthyhabits”
• The power of investing in yourself before it"makes sense"
• Why the perfect moment is a myth—and how to take action anyway

Connect with Rosie:

Instagram: @roseliftsss

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the wild world of healthcare, wellness trends, and why navigating the health and wellness sphere feels more confusing than ever. From the complexities of wellness influencer culture, the control of insurance companies, and the blurred lines of health-related marketing, we get candid about staying sharp, trusting yourself, and cutting through the noise in a world full of wellness “experts.” At the end of the day, it’s a balance of trusting your gut feelings, alongside your logic, when making health-related decisions. Episode Highlights: 📈 Medical norms don’t always account for your unique performance and needs— so knowing your baseline health data can is key for self-advocacy❌ How social media has skewed “skinny” to be the new “healthy”. 🚩 Do wellness influencers have a responsibility to disclose their health choices when selling us products and services? 💸 The wellness industry is starting to look a lot like traditional healthcare—with profit often taking the front seat.🕵️‍♀️ Authenticity in marketing can get a little fuzzy when money’s involved, so it’s worth asking: what’s the real motive behind that health product?🧘‍♀️ Your gut feelings are important piece in making health decisions!

Have you ever found yourself feeling a little off in a friendship—like something’s missing, but you can’t quite name it? In this episode, Erica unpacks the subtle dynamics of unbalanced friendships, inspired by an honest online post.

She explores the different types of friendships, the importance of communication, and the need for self-reflection in understanding our emotional responses.

It’s a thoughtful look at how our needs in relationships evolve, how friendships vary in terms of expectations and engagement, why it's important to evaluate what you truly want from your relationships.