Episode Overview:

What does it mean to choose kindness—even when life breaks your back? Literally. In this powerful episode, Kath Koschel, founder of Kindness Factory and former elite athlete, shares her remarkable journey through physical trauma, grief, and unimaginable loss… and how small acts of kindness pulled her through. Her story is a testament to the human spirit, the science of kindness, and why leaders need empathy now more than ever.

What You’ll Learn:

• How Kath turned her rock bottom into a global kindness movement
• The neuroscience behind giving and receiving kindness
• Why acts of compassion can rewire the brain and transform workplace culture
• The difference between being “nice” and being “kind”
• How leaders can model resilience and empathy through adversity

Episode Highlights:

• [00:00] “30 Reasons to Keep Going” — Kath’s powerful reflection at rock bottom
• [03:15] Falling in love in rehab, and the devastating loss that followed
• [06:40] How small acts of kindness helped Kath find purpose again
• [10:12] The birth of Kindness Factory — and how it changed everything
• [14:30] What tough days taught her about gratitude, healing, and action
• [17:55] How kindness can be your strongest leadership strategy

Meet the Guest:

Kath Koschel is a former elite cricketer turned global changemaker and founder of Kindness Factory, a non-profit inspiring people to choose kindness every day. After surviving multiple spinal injuries, personal loss, and grief, Kath turned her pain into purpose. Her work now spans continents, stages, and boardrooms—helping people and leaders discover the strength of compassion.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned:

• The neuroscience of kindness
• Gratitude journaling at rock bottom
• “Kindness as a leadership trait” philosophy
• Logging acts of kindness (KindnessFactory.com)

Closing Insight & CTA:

“Kindness is a choice. Not a soft skill, but a strong one. And when we choose to act, even in the smallest way, we create ripples far beyond ourselves.”

Log your act of kindness or read inspiring stories at KindnessFactory.com

Learn more about Kath’s work at KathKoschel.com

Follow Kath on LinkedIn: Kath Koschel

What if the key to retaining top talent and improving workplace performance lies in understanding women’s hormones? In this episode, we explore why women’s health—especially in perimenopause and menopause—isn’t just a medical issue, but a leadership and public health priority.

Wendy Wollner sits down with Dr. Mariah Prince-Allen, board-certified nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and founder of Telehealth for Her. Dr. Mariah shares her mission to help high-achieving women balance hormones, heal their gut, achieve sustainable weight loss—and feel like themselves again. Together, they unpack the history of women’s health research, the economic cost of ignoring menopause, and practical steps leaders can take to create hormone-intelligent workplaces.

What You’ll Learn

1. Why women’s health is still in its infancy—and how that impacts workplace equity
2. The shocking cost of menopause-related productivity loss in the U.S.
3. How corporate leaders can support women and boost retention with simple policy changes
4. The truth about hormone replacement therapy vs. daily alcohol consumption
5. Why “slow mornings” can protect hormonal health and prevent burnout
6. How to fiercely advocate for yourself in a medical system that often dismisses women’s concerns

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Meet Dr. Mariah Prince-Allen & her mission

01:15 – Wendy’s personal women’s health journey

03:21 – How a single study changed hormone therapy for decades

04:43 – Why women’s health research lags behind men’s

06:34 – Menopause as a leadership and public health issue

07:16 – The importance of asking questions about your own care

08:08 – Why even OBGYNs may lack menopause training

09:11 – Morning routines that protect hormone health

11:06 – The surprising truth about alcohol and breast cancer risk

12:43 – The $1.8B cost of menopause-related productivity loss

14:26 – Empathy in action: supporting employees through symptoms

15:21 – Dr. Mariah’s wish for women and leaders

Meet the Guest

Dr. Mariah Prince-Allen is a board-certified nurse practitioner, TEDx speaker, and founder of Telehealth for Her, a virtual women’s wellness practice serving executives and entrepreneurs. She helps women balance hormones, heal their gut, and achieve sustainable weight loss while empowering leaders to build hormone-intelligent workplaces.

Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned

1. Hormone-Intelligent Workplace concept
2. HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) myths and realities
3. Stress-reduction routines for hormonal balance
4. Leadership empathy strategies for retention and productivity

Closing Insight & CTA

“Women’s health is not a women’s issue—it’s a leadership issue, a public health issue, and a business performance issue.”

Learn how to advocate for yourself, support the women you work with, and build a workplace where everyone thrives.

Resource Links:

Business website: www.telehealthforher.com 

Personal website: www.mariahprinceallen.com 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahprinceallenspeaker/

My calendar: https://www.mariahprinceallen.com/work-with-me

Peri Code Assessment: This was built with my medical expertise to help women understand their symptoms based on my 5-pillar framework. 

https://telehealthforher.myflodesk.com/pericode

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Balancing Life’s Issues: https://balancinglifesissues.com/podcast-bli/

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This BLI the Podcast Live episode features wellness expert Krystal Taylor leading an engaging and interactive conversation on burnout—what it is, what causes it, and how to fight back. With warmth, humor, and plenty of practical wisdom, Krystal breaks down the clinical definition of burnout and helps us recognize the emotional and physical symptoms before they spiral. Listeners will gain access to real-world solutions, both personal and organizational, that can help build resilience and create a more sustainable work culture.

Whether you're feeling emotionally exhausted, unsure of your role, or overloaded by digital demands, this episode is here to validate your experience and offer a way forward. This is burnout... redefined—with hope.

What You'll Learn:

• What burnout really is—and what it’s not
• Key causes like lack of recognition, vague roles, and digital overload
• Warning signs including emotional exhaustion and reduced efficacy
• Proven strategies to prevent burnout at both the individual and company level
• Innovative tech tools and anti-burnout workplace culture shifts
• Simple takeaways to improve your wellbeing this week

Resources:

Krystal Taylor is a wellness coach and Army veteran with nearly 30 years of experience in emotional wellness, fitness, and caregiving support. As both a leader and a caregiver, she understands burnout firsthand and is passionate about helping others build strength and resilience.

Krystal's Website: www.fitnessisnotagame.com

Connect with Krystal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalttaylor/

Subscribe and follow Balancing Life's Issues wherever you listen to podcasts:

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/balancing-lifes-issues/id1672656705
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tWLpw7lhT3kd4aBFcOwLV
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1
• Website: balancinglifesissues.com/podcast-bli/
• Connect with Wendy Wollner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendywollner/

In this special follow-up to our conversation on redefining fatherhood Jason S. Frishman, PsyD, founder and lead guide at JourneyMen Foundation, invites you to slow down and reconnect with what really matters — through a guided Values Compass exercise designed especially for fathers, but relevant to anyone navigating life’s daily challenges.

This episode is your chance to step away from the noise, breathe, and reflect on the core values that shape how you show up — at home, at work, and in your community. Jason’s approach combines mindfulness, intentional action, and self-reflection to help you move from vague ideals to clear, practical steps you can live out each day.

Whether you’re a dad seeking balance, a leader supporting fathers on your team, or simply someone who wants to feel more grounded — this 15-minute practice is for you.

Takeaways:

• A guided mindfulness moment to reset your mind and body
• How the Values Compass maps your “true north” across four key areas: childhood/ancestral values, individual values, partnership values, and fatherhood/legacy values
• Practical questions to help you identify your current “treasure” or goal
• The power of sharing your compass with family, community, or trusted peers
• Why revisiting your values is essential for resilience and meaningful leadership
• A reminder that fatherhood is a journey — not a solo mission

Sound Bites:

• “You are the one choosing your direction.”
• “Fatherhood is a journey — not something you do alone.”
• “Holding your compass means you’re never truly lost.”

Why It Matters:

Real leadership means showing up for the total individual — not just the part that shows up to do a job. Finding your Values Compass is a reminder that resilience, balance, and community all begin when you choose to get clear on what really matters.

Listen and Subscribe

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/balancing-lifes-issues/id1672656705

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tWLpw7lhT3kd4aBFcOwLV

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

Connect with Us:

Follow Wendy Wollner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendywollner/

Subscribe to Balancing Life’s Issues on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

Visit: www.balancinglifesissues.com

Tags:

#Fatherhood #ValuesCompass #Leadership #MensMentalHealth #Parenting #CommunitySupport #Mindfulness #ThisIsYourJobNow #BalancingLifesIssues

In this heartfelt Part 1 episode, Jason S. Frishman, PsyD, founder and lead guide at JourneyMen Foundation, shares his insights on what it means to redefine fatherhood as part of real leadership and community care. He explains why supporting fathers’ mental health is vital for family and organizational well-being.

Guided by Kai Sorensen, Director of Podcasts, and Greg Baldwin, Multimedia Specialist—both fathers themselves—this conversation unpacks how challenging traditional norms of masculinity can unlock healthier ways of parenting, partnering, and leading. Jason also dives into the myth of the hero’s journey and how it impacts fathers’ identities, offering practical strategies like mindfulness and the Values Compass exercise to help men navigate daily stress and stay true to their values.

Together, they remind us that fatherhood is an adventure worth sharing—not just surviving alone.

In Part 2, Jason will take you through a guided exercise about using your "Value Compass".

In this powerful episode of This Is Your Job Now, host Wendy Wollner sits down with Dan Bolger, a foreign policy and development expert, and Matthew Weiller, a retired Department of State leader, to explore what it really means to lead through the tough stuff.

Together, they dig into why great leaders today can’t afford to hide behind “it’s not my job.” They break down how to balance IQ and EQ, how sidebars and real check-ins build psychological safety, and why the root of crankiness, disengagement, or poor performance is often not work-related at all.

Wendy, Dan, and Matthew share practical examples — from hidden medical conditions to fertility challenges — that show the urgent need for workplaces where employees feel safe to bring their whole selves. If you want to know what compassionate leadership looks like in practice, and why you should never let a good crisis pass you by, this conversation is for you.

1. Leadership in 2025 means seeing the total individual, not just the role.
2. EQ is just as critical as IQ when building resilient, trusting teams.
3. The best leaders create “sidebars” — safe, private check-ins that help people open up.
4. Most issues that cause conflict or crankiness at work originate at home.
5. Leaders must be willing to have courageous conversations about sensitive topics like medical struggles or fertility.
6. Compassion, curiosity, and clear questions help unlock what employees really need.
7. Good leadership is fair, honest, engaged — and willing to make space for real life to happen.

Real leadership happens when you show up for your people in their hardest moments. Never Let a Good Crisis Pass You By is a reminder that your team’s wellbeing is your business. In a world where silence is not neutral, how you lead — and listen — makes all the difference.

Matt Weiller LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-weiller-b13b9115/

Dan Bolger https://www.linkedin.com/in/danpbolger/

Matt's Great Example of a Leader, Anthony Fauci https://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/anthony-s-fauci-md

Stanley McChrystal https://www.mcchrystalgroup.com/about/our-team/team-member/executive-leadership-team/stan-mcchrystal

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/balancing-lifes-issues/id1672656705

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7tWLpw7lhT3kd4aBFcOwLV

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

Follow Wendy Wollner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendywollner/

Subscribe to Balancing Life’s Issues on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

Or stream wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1672656705

Visit: www.balancinglifesissues.com

leadership, emotional intelligence, EQ vs IQ, workplace culture, psychological safety, supporting employees, compassionate leadership, employee wellbeing, crisis management, fertility challenges at work, difficult conversations, leadership resilience

#Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #PsychologicalSafety #WorkplaceCulture #ThisIsYourJobNow #BalancingLifesIssues #CrisisLeadership #EQ #CompassionateLeadership

This emotional episode of This Is Your Job Now explores one family's journey through childhood cancer—and what it means to truly care for the total individual. When their youngest son, Vaughn, was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer at just two years old, Amy and Tony’s world changed overnight. With the added weight of a global pandemic, they faced not only medical and logistical hurdles, but also profound emotional and psychological challenges.

Amy, a licensed mental health counselor, and Tony, a dedicated husband and pool builder, share how they managed to survive the chaos—sometimes one breath, one journal entry, or one planner check-in at a time. Their reflections offer powerful lessons in parenting, resilience, and the importance of mental health support for families navigating crisis.

Listeners will hear how this couple advocated for their son, leaned into community, and found moments of connection even in the darkest times. This episode is a must-listen for anyone supporting parents, caregivers, or individuals coping with trauma, and a reminder that behind every patient is a family fighting to heal—body, mind, and spirit.

Top Takeaways:

• Mental health is a critical part of family recovery.
• Amy and Tony used journaling, walking, and visualization to cope.
• COVID restrictions complicated treatment and family connection.
• Weekly planner check-ins helped maintain their relationship.
• Emotional support often begins after treatment ends when it should be considered throughout.
• Community connection was key to their resilience.
• Recovery is not just remission—it’s restoration.

Keywords:

mental health, childhood cancer, resilience, family support, emotional journey, pediatric cancer, trauma, community, caregiving, remission, parenting, advocacy, coping strategies, psychological safety

Stay Connected:

Balancing Life’s Issues

Follow Wendy Wollner on LinkedIn

Subscribe on YouTube

Listen wherever you get your podcasts

Why should leaders care about visibility?

In this powerful and personal conversation, Wendy Wollner sits down with John Ebron—a retired Army combat veteran, leadership coach, and proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community—for a candid talk about the toll of hiding your identity at work, and the transformation that comes when you finally feel seen.

Wendy opens with a vulnerable story from her own past—a prom night moment that shaped how she thinks about authenticity, empathy, and psychological safety in the workplace. From there, John shares his lived experience serving under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the long road to being out at work, and the power of one leader’s decision to stand with him, not against him.

Whether you're a CEO, an HR leader, or a people manager wondering how to show up for your LGBTQIA+ employees—this episode is your invitation to do better, listen deeper, and lead with heart. Because representation isn’t just about a flag in your logo. It’s about who feels safe in your meetings. And who doesn’t.

Listen now: https://pod.link/1672656705

Together, they explore:

• Why visibility creates trust and creativity on teams
• How to lead through Pride Month with authenticity—not performative allyship
• What leaders gain when employees bring their whole selves to work
• How a psychologically safe workplace fuels better performance
• The responsibility of every manager and executive to lead with empathy, even when it's uncomfortable

Key Moment:

"If I can’t tap into all of who I am, I can’t bring anything to you." — John Ebron

Keywords:

Pride Month podcast, LGBTQIA+ leadership, visibility at work, psychological safety, inclusive leadership, DEI in the workplace, empathy in leadership, Pride Month employee engagement, Wendy Wollner podcast, Balancing Life’s Issues

Stay Connected:

Follow Wendy on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendywollner/

Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@balancinglifesissuesinc.8501?sub_confirmation=1

Stream wherever you listen: https://pod.link/1672656705

Website: www.balancinglifesissues.com

Announcing season 2 of Balancing Life’s Issues the Podcast "This Is Your Job Now"

Because leadership means showing up—especially when it’s uncomfortable.

Hosted by Wendy Wollner, CEO of Balancing Life’s Issues, This Is Your Job Now helps leaders navigate the hardest parts of managing humans—burnout, mental health, DEI fatigue, grief, and more. With expert voices, real stories, and zero corporate jargon, this show asks the only question that matters: Why should you care?

If you’re leading people today, this is already your job.

Follow Wendy on LinkedIn

Subscribe to Balancing Life's Issues on YouTube

Or where you listen to podcasts

www.balancinglifesissues.com

Leveraging AI for Business Growth with Wendy Wollner & Alex Golimbievsky  

Hosted by Wendy Wollner, CEO of Balancing Life’s Issues  

In this insightful episode, Wendy Wollner and Alex Golimbievsky, an experienced business coach and growth strategist, explore how AI can revolutionize business operations. With over 300 businesses coached, Alex shares real-world applications of AI that help companies streamline workflows, optimize marketing, and increase revenue.  

AI isn’t just a trend—it’s a powerful tool for business growth. Whether you’re looking to refine your customer profiles, enhance website conversion, or scale your marketing efforts, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you leverage AI effectively.  

Key Topics Covered  

How AI solves business challenges – AI provides fresh insights and innovative solutions to longstanding business problems.  

Optimizing customer profiles and value propositions – AI helps businesses refine their ideal customer avatar and craft a compelling value proposition.  

Using AI for content creation and marketing – Learn how to use AI for social media posts, ad copy, email campaigns, and smart content strategies.  

Website optimization and conversion strategies – AI can analyze website data and offer recommendations to improve conversion rates.  

AI in training and coaching – Discover how AI can enhance coaching programs and boost customer engagement.  

Custom GPT and AI demonstrations – Real-time AI tools can assist with website analysis and content generation.  

Revenue growth and AI integration – High-performing businesses use AI to increase efficiency, gain a competitive edge, and drive revenue growth.  

Why AI Matters for Business Growth  

Faster decision-making – AI helps businesses interpret data quickly and make informed choices.  

Better content and outreach – AI can identify customer strategies, optimize channels, and generate engaging content.  

Improved customer engagement – AI-powered tools enhance lead generation, retention, and conversion.  

Accountability and implementation – Growth is easier with a structured coaching program and accountability partners.  

About the Speakers:

Wendy Wollner is the CEO of Balancing Life’s Issues and a leader in corporate training, helping businesses improve employee well-being and performance.  

Alex Golimbievsky is a business coach and growth strategist who has helped over 300 businesses implement AI-driven solutions to scale and succeed.  

Resources and Next Steps  

Want to see AI in action? Join Wendy and Alex for a public seminar on using AI to grow businesses.  

Learn more and register: [Insert Event Link]  

Explore more AI tools and resources: [Insert Additional Resource Link]  

Ready to integrate AI into your business strategy? The Revenue Growth Incentive Program offers structured coaching and AI implementation strategies to help businesses scale successfully.  

Listen now and unlock the power of AI for your business!