It’s my birthday week and there is something about birthdays that makes you reflect back and look forward.

When I look to the future, it’s not about a bucket list and big adventures, though I hope to make time for those thoughts too. The choices currently circling around my head are about creating a life, the boring day to day life, that I will be happy to be living. I want to share some of the things I’ve learned through my guests and the process of podcasting that will guide me in creating a healthier happier everyday Meghan. Including an announcement that feels big to me. For my birthday, I’m giving myself time.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 85: Raising Kids While Raising Ourselves with Cat Tiu

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“Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.”

This was the quote that inspired Cat (Carmelita Tiu) to start her podcast and community. Her content drew me in, so I invited her to join me for a conversation about raising kids while raising ourselves.

Also, raising kids is NOT just for parents. With the messy stuff, kids often seek out the cool aunt, mom's best friend or a teacher. In this episode, we dig through the messy, uncertain parts of supporting kids to find some ways to work it out and to help listeners feel less alone in the thick of it.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 84: Tall Girl, Hold Your Head High with Chelsea

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Tall Girl, you hold your head up high. Chelsea is here to share her story, from dating to fashion, from the USA to Germany, from slouching to confident… What’s tall got to do with it? Let’s find out.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 83: Things I Tell My Kids, That I Should Tell Myself

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On the way to and from school my son processes life by talking. I have no idea where he gets it from.

He tells me things he’s learned, experienced, wondered, and asks me endless amounts of questions.He treats me like I treat google. Except, he asks the things I know google can not answer. The nuanced questions about friendships and life that there is no one answer to. So, we work our way through what has happened or could happen, we even practice kind words and come backs. And almost everyday, as the words of advice come out of my mouth, I think, if only I could practice what I preach. So here are a few things that have come up recently, It’s the things I tell my kids that I should tell myself.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 82: Balancing Culture, Personalities and Literacy around Money with Lisa Severing

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How do we feel about money? What is our normal with financial literacy?

In this conversation, we look at the connection between sociology and finance: looking back at the influences of upbringing, culture, personalities and access to literacy around money. Lisa Severing and I use our stories to explore the bigger picture of how we manage ourselves with saving, spending, investing and debt. Listen to hear all about Meghan’s squirrel-ness (functional and not so functional), and great finance tips for everyone.

Lisa says, managing money is not magic, it is a skill to be learned and everyone can do it!

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 81: Resetting as a Highly Sensitive Person with Kellie Daab

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Kellie is a Highly Sensitive Person.

But…What is an HSP? How did Kellie discover this about herself? How does this "label" impact her life?and How did she change her business to create more balance? We talk through these questions and so much more. 

Balancingstories.com

Follow on social media for all updates for Balancing Stories Podcast. Send encouragement with a 5 star review on your favourite platform. If you like what you hear and want to support the podcast (and Meghan), you can leave a tip through Buy Me A Coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MeghanKitchen

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 80: Balancing Assertiveness – A Fixer Upper Story

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So, we bought a fixer upper. I wanted to record this in retrospect but we are still in it. The journey is still twisting and turning.

This is just to say, you are not getting “happy to be home” it was tough but it was all worth it Meghan. You are getting, still in the weeds, done taking peoples S.H.I.T. – honestly, why can’t people just do their job, and don’t make promises if you can’t deliver…Meghan.

That’s who you will be hearing from today as I talk about balancing my communication style as a woman, surrounded by men, who needs to be heard. Through all of it, my balance between assertive and nagging has changed. This is my story.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 79: Fertility Journey Across Borders with Kristin Izsak

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A Fertility Journey Across Borders

I interviewed Kristin, a Canadian international teacher, married to a pilot, who lived in multiple countries and sought medical support in even more, over a month ago when we both had availability. But, while emailing about show notes over the weekend, we decided to re-record to include her current status… pregnant that is.

She realized, after a long twisty-turny fertility journey – which you will hear about in this episode, that if it works out or doesn’t work out, she needs support either way. And that letting people in on the news has made this pregnancy the most peaceful.

Content warning that we talk about uterine heath, pregnancy loss and fertility treatments in this conversation.

FULL SHOW NOTES with links on Balancingstories.com

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Episode 78: Leaving Ukraine – One Woman’s Story with Anastasia Vladychynska

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This is one woman’s story about leaving Ukraine.

We recorded this conversation on March 17th, 2022.

When we chatted, it had been 3 weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine, starting a war that would, as of today 4 weeks after the invasion, displace 10 million people. This includes those moving within Ukraine to safer cities along with the woman and children who could cross borders and seek refuge in other countries. Anastasia is one of them. This is her story of leaving Ukraine.