Balanced Not Boring

Why are so many women dismissed at some doctors offices? Fatigue, bloating, brain fog, autoimmune flares — they're all too common lately, and too often brushed off as “stress” or “in your head.”

In this episode of Balanced not Boring, we sit down with Joelle Wardeh, Functional Medicine practitioner & Clinical Dietitian at Yutopia Clinic in Dubai, to uncover why women’s symptoms are frequently misunderstood — and how Functional Medicine looks at the root cause instead of quick fixes.

Joelle shares how personalized nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle shifts can finally give women the answers (and relief) they’ve been searching for.

We dive into four emerging tests that are finally gaining recognition:

-Histamine intolerance & sensitivity

-Mold

-Heavy metals

-Parasites, gut bacteria, IBS & beyond

Listen now on Apple, Spotify & Youtube @balancednotboringpodcast — your health deserves to be taken seriously.

Follow us on IG at @balancednotboringpodcast and TT at @bnbpoddubai

Welcome back to Balanced Not Boring! Confused about what’s real vs. fake in skincare and anti-aging? This episode is your myth-busting guide!

We’re joined by Dr. Lana Kashlan, American Board-certified dermatologist based between Chicago and Dubai at Skin Experts Clinic. With a unique blend of psychology, dermatology, and aesthetics, Dr. Kashlan is known for highlighting her patients’ looks, not changing them.

From viral beauty trends gone wrong to AI imposter dermatologists, we cover the myths, facts, and must-know treatments for healthy, confident skin, once and for all!

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Welcome to Balanced Not Boring

00:22 – Skincare Myths with Dr. Lana Kashlan

01:11 – Meet Dr. Kashlan

02:02 – Beauty Standards & Social Media

05:04 – Skin & Mental Health

07:41 – Why Celebrity Skin Is Unrealistic

10:52 – AI Imposter Dermatologists

13:04 – Clean Beauty Movement

20:35 – Rapid Fire Skincare Myths

26:01 – Sun Damage & Sunscreen

32:40 – Preventative Botox in Your 20s

36:12 – Best Skin Treatments to Invest In

39:23 – Laser Hair Removal Facts

41:56 – Final Advice on Healthy Skin

🎧 Listen to Balanced Not Boring on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify — follow us on IG at @balancednotboringpodcast.

💎 Visit @skinexperts.uae clinic in Dubai

👩‍⚕️ Follow @drlanakashlan on Instagram

If you’re a parent, partner, teacher—or simply a human curious about how our brains and emotions shape our lives—this episode is for you. (ps, there are diagrams too)!

Our guest, Sarah Raslan, Co-Founder of Wise Parent, brings a rare blend of academic expertise and practical wisdom to the conversation. Sarah holds double MSc degrees in Neuroscience and the Psychology of Mental Health, as well as a third MSc in Post-Conflict Development. Through her work with Wise Parent in Dubai, she helps families access tools that make parenting more grounded, connected, and effective.

In this episode, we explore:

• The fascinating differences between the male and female brain

• How gender and past experiences influence our emotional patterns

• What self-regulation looks like in both children and adults

• Practical ways we can nurture more connected, compassionate families—at home and beyond

  Chapters:00:00 – Intro

  00:28 – Guest Introduction: Sara & The Wise Parent

  01:54 – The Birth of The Wise Parent Program

  03:46 – Humanitarian Work & Trauma in Families

  05:29 – Why Study the Brain?

  06:42 – Brain Basics: Lower, Middle & Upper Levels

  09:41 – Childhood Brain Development & Regulation

  10:42 – Emotional Growth & Maturity

  13:18 – Understanding Children’s Tantrums

  13:24 – Boys vs Girls: Emotional Regulation Differences

  15:35 – Culture, Gender & Emotional Socialization

  16:12 – Parenting in the Middle East vs the West

  18:28 – Reparenting Ourselves & Breaking Cycles

  19:20 – Red Zone vs Green Zone: Self-Regulation Explained

  21:18 – Parenting in the Moment vs Outside the Moment

  22:38 – The Myth of Perfect Parenting

  24:20 – Apologizing & Repair in Parenting

  25:12 – Healing Childhood Trauma & Neuroplasticity

  28:41 – Inner Child Meditation & Rewiring

  31:09 – Modern Parenting: Balance Between Validation &Regulation

  33:26 – Takeaways: Learning About the Brain &Relationships

  34:20 – Rapid Fire Round

  35:14 – Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn?

  36:22 – Stress, Cortisol & the Brain

  37:13 – Emotional Superpower: Repair

  38:06 – Daily Brain Need: Joy

  38:38 – Rewiring Moments: Becoming a Parent

  39:23 – How to Connect with Sara & The Wise Parent

  39:40 – Closing & Thanks

About Sarah:

Raslan holds a double MSc in Neuroscience and the Psychology of Mental Health, and another MSc in Post-Conflict Development and is co-founder of Wise Parent in Dubai, a children's development program, which focuses on highlighting practical tools for parents in their parenting journeys.

Raslan had spent over 15 years working in the humanitarian field—evaluating programs for families affected by war, conflict, and trauma. And now, she’s channeling all that expertise into creating a trauma-informed parenting program to help raise emotionally resilient children.

Listen at @balancednotboringpodcast on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.

Follow us on IG at @balancednotboringpodcast and TT at @BNBPodDubai and connect with Sarah at @thewiseparent on IG.

In this new episode of Balanced not Boring podcast, we sit down with Dr. Aya Elsalah, Hydrafacial’s key opinion leader and an aesthetics expert at maysoon clinic in Dubai, to talk all things skin health and glow.

From her journey switching from internal medicine to aesthetics, to breaking down the science of the skin barrier, Dr. Aya shares her expertise in a way that’s practical, empowering and real.

Whether you’re overwhelmed by products, curious about antioxidants, or wondering if a Hydrafacial is really worth it, this episode is packed with insights to help you build a skin routine that actually works—without the hype.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

-Why dr. aya transitioned from internal medicine to aesthetics

-The science of the skin barrier and how it gets damaged

-Which antioxidants boost hydration for glowing skin

-The basic necessities of a gentle, effective routine

-Why “less is more” when it comes to too many products

-The benefits of Hydrafacial treatments.

and more tips to simplify your skincare journey. ❤️

✨ Follow and connect with Dr. Aya: @drayaesthetics and @maysoon_clinic

🎧 Listen to full epi at link in bio or @balancednotboringpodcast on YouTube, Apple and Spotify

In this powerful episode of Balanced Not Boring, Judy and Tamara sit down with psychotherapist Aisling Prendergast to explore the invisible weight many women carry — the emotional and mental load that often goes unspoken. We're expected to 'be it all' and 'do it all', without complaining of feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated or drained. But can we really do it all? Does something have to give?From infertility, IVF, and perinatal challenges to the shifting identities of motherhood, workplace struggles and burnout, Aisling sheds light on experiences that society often expects women to silently endure. Drawing on her extensive training in Ireland, the UK, and now the Middle East, she offers both professional insights and deeply human compassion.We talk about:-Breaking the silence: why therapy and women’s health are still taboo in many cultures-From infertility to motherhood: how these journeys redefine identity, love, and self-worth-Guilt, burnout, and overwhelm: real tools to find balance through every life stage-Beyond the individual: why women’s mental wellness is a cultural shift we all needWhether you’re navigating fertility challenges, adjusting to motherhood, balancing career and family, or entering new hormonal chapters, this episode is a reminder that you are not alone — and that your experience matters.✨ A must-listen for anyone wanting to feel SEEN. 🎧 Now on Spotify, Youtube and Apple --> @balancednotboringpodcast

In this heartfelt episode of Balanced Not Boring, we sit down with Rohma Theunissen to explore what it really means to accept a “new normal” after life takes an unexpected turn. At the young age of 31, Rohma suddenly experienced a brain hemorrhage and survived. Nine years later, Rohma shares her personal journey of navigating profound change, the power of radical self-compassion, and how acceptance isn’t about giving up — it’s about making peace with where you are, without losing sight of your sense of self.

✨ Expect honest conversations, emotional insights, and gentle reminders that healing doesn’t always look like progress — sometimes it looks like placing boundaries and practicing self-acceptance.

If you’re in the midst of a life transition after a diagnosis or life changing event, or are supporting someone who is, this episode is a permission slip to slow down, reflect, and redefine your own version of balance.

🙏🏽You will be okay.

🎧 Listen now on Apple, Spotify & YouTube! @balancednotboringpodcast

#balancednotboring #newnormal #healingjourney #rohmatheunissen #mindbodylife #strokesurvivor #brainhemmorage #strokeawareness #newepisode

Welcome back to the Balanced Bot Boring Podcast, where we sit down with Alexandra Venison, Co-Founder of Beautilist and Vogue Arabia Contributing Editor, for an honest conversation about identity, fulfillment, and the courage to pivot.

We explore the often-unspoken realities of being a woman in the workplace, the tension between corporate life and entrepreneurship, and the bold decision to shift from the fast-paced world of fashion to the more intentional realm of wellness.

Alexandra shares what truly moves her, how she redefined her identity outside of a job title, and why it's not about abandoning structure — it’s about building a life that feels aligned with her new health journey.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, questioned your path, or wanted to take the plunge into something new (but in a practical way), this episode is your sign to go deeper.

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About Venison:

Alexandra Venison is the Co-Founder of Beautilist, a conscious platform redefining beauty, health, and wellness. A contributing writer at Vogue Arabia, she brings over a decade of experience in publishing and storytelling. Her mission is to challenge outdated beauty ideals and promote an inclusive, wellbeing-centered approach to living.

Raised in Dubai and educated in London, Alexandra began her career at Emirates Woman before taking on senior editorial roles at leading regional titles. She has interviewed global icons like Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Tom Ford, and now blends her editorial expertise with her work as a certified Health Coach and Hypnotherapist.

Her wellness sessions—most recently hosted at TODA Dubai—integrate meditation, sound healing, and Yoga Nidra to support nervous system healing and creative self-expression. Through media, coaching, and immersive experiences, Alexandra helps others redefine beauty on their own terms.

Follow her news at @beautilist and @alexandravenison

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Listen to the epi on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube @balancednotboringpodcast

#BeyondLabels #Identity #WomenInWork #WellnessJourney #BalancedNotBoring

In this soulful and eye-opening episode, we’re joined by Zeina Abboud—Theta Healer and founder of Reboot and Reroot in Dubai—to explore how energy healing can unlock deeper emotional balance and subconscious clarity.

We unpack:

• A practical breakdown of what Theta Healing really is, how it works, and the science behind it
• Zeina's calling into Theta healing and how she knew this was meant for her
• The magic of the heart chakra and why it’s your emotional compass
• The difference between fear of the mind and certainty of the heart

• How different organs store different emotions—and what your body might be trying to tell you

• Navigating life without absorbing everyone else’s energy

If you’ve ever felt stuck emotionally or disconnected from your inner truth, this conversation offers a new way to reroot and heal from within.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube🔗 Link in bio.

As always, would be grateful if you can subscribe and rate to help us reach more interested people.

Welcome back to the Balanced Not Boring podcast, live from Dubai.

Co-hosts Tamara Khoury and Judy Daghestani sit down with Editor in Chief of SheerLuxe Middle East, Tamara Jabi, to discuss Tamara’s love for life. Constantly exuding happiness, confidence and positivity, we get real and vulnerable in this discussion about how she sets boundaries in her work and personal life, deals with burnout, practices gratitude in difficult situations, acknowledges her evolving identity, her upcoming wedding, and more.

Get ready to be inspired with the one and only, lovingly extroverted, TJABI!

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Tamara Jabi is the Editor-in-Chief of SheerLuxe Middle East, leading the platform’s expansion in the region. Raised in Dubai, she built her career in luxury beauty and brand storytelling, working at LVMH for Dior Beauty and Sunday Riley before transitioning into digital media. Now at SheerLuxe, she curates content that blends global trends with a regional perspective, shaping conversations around fashion, beauty, and lifestyle in the Middle East. With a deep appreciation for the region’s evolving landscape, she is committed to showcasing its talent and creativity on a wider scale.

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Follow Balanced Not Boring on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok at @balancednotboringpodcast

Keep up with Tamara's news at @tjabi and @sheerluxe_me

Thanks for being here! Don't forget to subscribe and rate!

You don't want to miss this! Welcome to Episode 1, where co-hosts Tamara Khoury & Judy Daghestani talk about how they met, their definitions of what 'wellness', really means, why grandmas knew best when it came to health, evolving wellness 'trends', social fatigue, feminine energy & more.

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @balancednotboringpodcast.