We went rogue this week 👀 —no outline, no agenda, just a real and raw convo that turned into something we didn’t expect: a full-on love letter to feeling deeply and letting people be passionate about the things they love. 💌 

We’re talking about why it’s cool to care, the emotional rollercoaster of loving things out loud, and how joy (yes, even the glittery, mainstream kind) gets policed—especially when it comes to the interests of women and girls. 

From being made to feel “cringe” for loving a boy band, to being judged for reading spicy romance novels, to adult women side-eyeing TikTok fandoms, we’re asking the big question: Why are people so uncomfortable letting girls like things?

Whether it’s a music artist, hobby, a literary genre, or crying public because the experience of something got you in your feels—this episode is your permission slip to love what you love.

Episode Highlights: 

✨ Why Liking Things Matters

Joy builds identity, community, and belonging. When we let ourselves love freely—and let others do the same—we make space for deeper connection and a more expansive kind of self-expression.

🔥 The Joy Police & Internalized Misogyny

Why do some people hate what others love? Whether it’s side-eye glances or blatant comments from others, women are constantly told their joy is invalid. We unpack the shame, jealousy, and internalized misogyny that cause women to tear down other women’s interests. 

📚 Romance Isn’t “Just Smut”

Romance and Romantasy novels are rich with world-building, emotional depth, and complex characters—yet it’s often dismissed as frivolous or “just smut”. We explore how this genre gets unfairly written off, and why that says more about society than the books themselves.

🎬 The Media Double Standard

Physical intimacy scenes in a romance? It’s “ unnecessary obscenity.”

Graphic sexual scenes in a male thriller? “Gritty and profound.”

We call out the double standard in how stories centered on female pleasure and emotional connection are judged.

💫 A Core Memory at a Harry Styles Concert

In the stands at Wembley, a dad dancing with his daughter reminded us how powerful it is when men create emotional safety. That kind of love—quiet, steady, supportive—can shape a girl's self-worth for life.

We’re back, baby! 🎉In the first episode of Season 3, we discuss exciting details about the new direction the Balanced and Boujee podcast is taking. From conversations about building your community to the non-linear nature of personal growth, we’re dialing in on leading a life that balances self-improvement, enjoyment, and simply being.And it wouldn’t be a B&B episode if we didn’t dive into some general girl talk. From funny stories during our hiatus to realizing our lack of chill when it comes to our self-described "go-with-the-flow" travel style, we’re kicking off Season 3 with the same laughs and real talk you know and love.Episode Highlights:New segments on B&B, including guest interviews with Brooke and friendship Q&A/advice with Erica – where we want to hear from YOUWe heard you! The episode topics we’ll be diving into again (or for the first time) based on your Season 2 feedbackWhat we've been up to over the past yearHow romance literature is getting a bad rep right nowOur realization on a recent trip to Disney (spoiler alert – we are not chill travel girlies after all)Our celebrity encounter at the happiest place on Earth

In this episode, Brooke interviews Julie Reisler—a certified health and wellness coach, author, podcast host, and Founder of the Life Designer®️ Coach Academy that Brooke completed this past fall. They discuss all things intuition: what it is, how to get in touch with yours, how to discern intuitive guidance, and much more. We hope this conversation informs, inspires, and empowers you to cultivate a stronger relationship with your own intuition, leading to greater connection, confidence, and self-knowing.

Episode Highlights:

Connect with Julie

Website: https://juliereisler.com/

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

The You-est You®️ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@JulieReisler

In this episode, Erica updates us on her healing journey after her traumatic brain injury last March. Despite significant progress, Erica and Brooke discuss how external issues within the healthcare system are adding stress and frustration to her recovery.

Episode Highlights:

In this episode, our friend Mar joins Erica to discuss how

Episode Highlights:

Follow/Connect with Mar: (and stay tuned for her NEW book coming soon!)

https://linktr.ee/ninavoss

https://ninavossauthor.wixsite.com/neon-nina

https://www.instagram.com/nina.author

https://www.threads.net/@nina.author

In this second episode of our friendship series, we dive into the ways we've felt our friendships evolve from high school or college into adulthood. We all evolve as individuals throughout our lives. And oftentimes, in order to maintain valuable friendships, the style of our relationships needs to evolve as well.

In this premiere episode of our friendship series, we dive into how intentionally cultivating meaningful friendships has become a cornerstone in both of our lives and we provide listeners with tangible action steps to find and forge the meaningful connections they crave.

Episode Highlights:

In this episode, Brooke and Erica discuss the impacts that the Ozempic craze is having on health and beauty standards, and social media's role in magnifying those standards.

They also discuss ways we can protect ourselves from the negative effects that diet culture and social media comparison can have on our mental health.

In this episode Erica and Brooke dive into setting intentions, finding a mantra, or deciding on a "word of the year" to anchor you in the year ahead.

Episode Highlights:

In this episode, Erica and Brooke break from routine topics to discuss a recent pop culture controversy that's thrown them into a spiral: Harry Styles cut off all of his hair.

Erica breaks down the timeline of how the news broke, speculation as to why this may have occurred, and shares hilarious examples of how Harry fans are taking the news.