Balkan Sis

Wow, looking back at 2022, it truly was a challenging year. Both professionally and personally, I faced numerous hurdles, and the loss of my beloved companions, Bruno and Lea, brought many tears. This year was marked by goodbyes and the lingering uncertainty of post-COVID life. The world may appear to be back to 'normal,' but what even is 'normal' in this new reality?

With a pandemic, global tensions, and rising inflation, we're only scratching the surface of the complexities we've had to navigate. So, how do we find stability on such shaky ground? How can we nurture and safeguard our mental well-being amidst these unpredictable times? It's a journey to discover our footing, and I'm committed to being open, honest, and authentic about life's intricacies with you.

This episode isn't about setting new year's resolutions, but rather about embracing yourself wherever you are on your journey. Talk to yourself with the kindness you'd offer your dearest friend. You might not be exactly where you wish to be, but I assure you that you're further along than you think. So, here's to refraining from new year's resolutions and instead, accepting ourselves and extending kindness. Let's support our friends, families, and neighbors, while intentionally making time for rest in 2023.

As mothers and women, we often push ourselves to the brink, so my encouragement for 2023 is to slow down and be present. Life is meant to be savored. I can't wait to share more insights and wisdom with you. Thank you for being here, supporting us creative souls. Wherever you are in the world, I wish you a happy new year – sretna nova godina! Don't forget to reach out on my Instagram @ivanastrbacalfonso or join my Facebook group (Ivana's Village). Let's connect and inspire each other, because we don't have to figure it all out on our own.

Here's to more peace, love, unity, and laughter. Pozdrav svima, zivjeli! XX Ivana"

https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso/

https://www.facebook.com/ivana.strbac.afonso

https://www.facebook.com/groups/441617791398759

https://linktr.ee/ivanaalfonso

Welcome back, dear friends,

In this episode, I decided to step up to the microphone and open up about what's been happening in the Fonzi household over the past few weeks and months. We've experienced the loss of our beloved family members, Bruno and Lea, in a very short period. I want to use this episode to discuss my mental health journey, breaking the stigma around seeking help.

I'll share my experience of participating in a wonderful podcast called "Never Just a Dog," where I talk about the profound impact Bruno and Lea had on my life. I'll delve into the effects of talk therapy, meditation, music, and various modalities that have been helping me on my journey through grief and healing. As part of my path to recovery, I've also had a conversation with Selma from Balkan Mama Therapy.

Furthermore, I address the stigma surrounding grief and parenthood, reflecting on how I grew up and how I'm working to change things within my family and for my son. I'll delve deeper into the messages I received through oracle cards, hoping they bring clarity to the challenging situations we all go through.

I'll emphasize how the content we consume and the way we talk to ourselves can shape our reality. I'll also discuss how resources like books can help us shed and unlearn our trauma, providing education for ourselves and our children.

This episode holds significant value, and my hope is that it provides you with support and insight to help you deal with what you're currently going through. Remember, community is medicine, and I look forward to bringing more guests and inspiring stories.

Feel free to connect with me through the links provided below. And always remember, you're never alone.

- Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso/](https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso/)

- Join My Village: [https://www.facebook.com/groups/441617791398759/](https://www.facebook.com/groups/441617791398759/)

- Selma - Balkan Mama Therapy: [https://www.instagram.com/balkanmamatherapy/](https://www.instagram.com/balkanmamatherapy/)

- "Adem & The Magic Fenjer" Book: [https://www.amazon.com.au/Adem-Magic-Fenjer-refugee-families/dp/1667840835](https://www.amazon.com.au/Adem-Magic-Fenjer-refugee-families/dp/1667840835)

- John Littlefair Podcast: [https://johnlittlefair.com.au/](https://johnlittlefair.com.au/)

- World Mental Health Organization: [https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health](https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health)

Dobrodošli natrag, dragi prijatelji,

U ovoj epizodi otvaram srce o gubitku naših dragih članova obitelji, Bruna i Lee, te svojoj borbi za mentalno zdravlje. Razgovaram o utjecaju koji su imali na moj život, terapiji razgovorom, meditaciji, glazbi i podršci Balkan Mama Therapy. Dotičem se stigme oko tuge i roditeljstva, te o važnosti sadržaja koji oblikuje našu stvarnost i obrazovanja koje oslobađa od trauma. Ova epizoda pruža podršku i zajednicu u teškim vremenima. Niste sami.

Debra Gavranich - The Girl Who Left

Debra Gavranich joins us from North Queensland, Australia, to discuss her recently published book, "The Girl Who Left." This book delves into her mother's journey from Korčula to the cane fields of Australia. In this episode, we explore life on Korčula, the proxy marriage that led to her mother's departure, and her adaptation to life in Australia. Debra shares her inspiration behind the book and the surprising opportunities for song and movie productions it has brought.

At the age of 18, Marija, Debra's mother, agreed to a proxy marriage with a sugarcane farmer in Far North Queensland, despite not knowing each other. Marija's childhood on Korčula was marked by the constant fear of occupation, first by the Italian army and later by the Nazis. She and her family secretly supported the Partisans during the war. Taking the risk of an unknown life in Australia, she embarked on a journey that led to building a new future for generations.

At 62, Marija was diagnosed with cancer and returned to Korčula one last time before her passing. This migrant story reflects the courage of individuals who took significant risks to start new lives in Australia, often with little knowledge of the English language. Their determination and hard work shaped the rich multicultural tapestry of modern Australia. Debra's book and story remind us of the importance of preserving and sharing our diaspora's history for future generations.

For more information about Debra and her book, you can visit the following links:

- [Book Information](https://g.co/kgs/31kjD9)

- [Facebook Page](https://www.facebook.com/thegirlwholeft/)

Razgovor s Debra Gavranich

Naša posebna gošća ovog tjedna je Debra Gavranich iz Sjevernog Queenslanda, Australija. Debra je nedavno objavila knjigu pod nazivom "Djevojka koja je otišla," koja govori priču o njezinoj majci i njezinom putovanju iz Korčule na polja trske u Australiji. U ovoj epizodi razgovaramo o njezinu životu na otoku Korčuli, braku putem punomoćnika i kako se prilagodila životu u Australiji. Debra govori o motivaciji za pisanje priče i iznenađujućim razgovorima o glazbi i filmu koji su uslijedili.

Započela je u malom selu na otoku Korčuli. U dobi od 18 godina pristala je na brak putem punomoćnika s farmerom iz Queenslanda, Australija. Par se nije poznavao. Taj brak bio je bijeg iz traumatične Europe nakon rata.

Njezino djetinjstvo obilježeno je strahom zbog okupacije otoka. Marijina obitelj je pomagala partizanima tijekom rata. Nakon rata, rizikovala je život krećući u Australiju. S vremenom je zavoljela svojeg supruga i izgradila obitelj te postala dio migracijske priče Australije.Ovo je priča o hrabrim pojedincima koji su preuzeli velik rizik kako bi stvorili bolji život u Australiji.

Embracing Grief, Cultivating Resilience, and Reclaiming Mental Health

Dear brothers and sisters, it's been a while. I've been deep in my grief, and I've finally come out to share my experiences of loss. I've lost my childhood home, experienced miscarriages, lost family members, and, sadly, my first dog and family member, Bruno. I know that if you come from our culture and Balkan heritage, goodbyes become a part of your childhood and your life story. Whether you were born in the homeland or abroad, you're all too familiar with this feeling.

I hesitated to share this because it's vulnerable, but I thought, why only share life when it's good and not when it's challenging? In this episode, I discuss my hardships and offer practical tips on how to navigate tough days. I also explore the topic of toxic positivity and emphasize the importance of compassion and embracing your feelings.

In our culture, we often don't allow ourselves to fully feel our grief and tend to compare our pain to that of others. However, I'm here to break those patterns and foster an open dialogue, even when it's difficult. If you're currently going through a tough time, whether as a parent or an individual, I hope this episode can provide you with support.

Despite not coming prepared and with notes scattered everywhere, I decided to show up because sometimes, presence is the most important thing. In life, showing up is often what matters most, and the rest will unfold naturally.

The past 2.5 years have brought many losses, from the loss of freedom and the ability to travel to see loved ones, to the loss of making our own choices. Life has felt incredibly heavy during this time, but I've chosen to share these personal challenges with you.

Finally, here are some useful resources that have helped me navigate my grief. Remember, there's no set timeline for grieving, and your loss is valid no matter the circumstances. If you're struggling, don't hesitate to seek the help of a professional. Although mental health is still not widely discussed in our cultures, I hope this episode can help change that.

Resource Links:

- GriefLine (https://griefline.org.au/)

- Good Mourning (https://www.goodmourning.com.au/)

- Star Register (https://starregister.org/)

Thank you for listening and for your support!

Grief, Resilience, and Mental Health

Draga braćo i sestre, prošlo je neko vrijeme. Duboko sam se suočavala s tugom i konačno sam odlučila podijeliti svoja iskustva gubitka. Izgubila sam svoj djetinjski dom, prošla kroz pobačaje, izgubila članove obitelji i, nažalost, svog prvog psa i člana obitelji, Bruna. Znam da ako potječete iz naše kulture i balkanskog naslijeđa, oproštaji postaju sastavni dio vašeg djetinjstva i životne priče. Bez obzira jeste li rođeni u domovini ili inozemstvu, svi su vam poznati ti osjećaji.

Ovdje sam kako bih prekinula te obrasce i potaknula otvoreni dijalog, čak i kada je teško. Ako trenutačno prolazite kroz teško razdoblje, bilo kao roditelj ili pojedinac, nadam se da će vam ova epizoda pružiti podršku.

Naposljetku, evo nekoliko korisnih resursa koji su mi pomogli u suočavanju s tugom. Sjetite se, ne postoji unaprijed određeni rok za tugovanje, a vaš gubitak je valjan bez obzira na okolnosti. Ako se borite, nemojte oklijevati potražiti pomoć stručnjaka. Iako se mentalno zdravlje još uvijek široko ne raspravlja u našim kulturama, nadam se da će ova epizoda pomoći promijeniti tu situaciju.

Hvala vam na slušanju i na vašoj podršci!

Part 2 - Featuring Amar & Lejla from the Fića Crew

With a strong following of over 27,000 on Instagram and other social platforms, Lejla & Amar share their love, lives, and adventures around the world with their little green car!

They enlighten us on why this car is so iconic, what it represents historically, and how they're expanding their adventures in Sarajevo with their young family. Their humility and boundless energy are truly inspiring, and I'm delighted to have them as guests on Balkan Sis. I hope you can infuse a bit of the Fića Crew attitude into your daily life, whether it's something grand or small. Don't forget to follow their next adventure - you'll find all the relevant links below. If you enjoyed this two-part episode, please subscribe, like, and share it with your family and friends!

Dio 2 - S gostima Amarom i Lejlom iz Fića Crew-a

S impresivnih više od 27.000 pratitelja na Instagramu i drugim društvenim mrežama, Lejla i Amar dijele svoju ljubav, život i avanture širom svijeta u svom malom zelenom automobilu!

Objašnjavaju nam zašto je ovaj automobil tako ikoničan, što simbolizira u povijesnom kontekstu i kako proširuju svoje avanture u Sarajevu sa svojom mladom obitelji. Njihova skromnost i neiscrpna energija zaista su inspirirajući, i velika mi je čast što su gosti na Balkan Sis. Nadam se da možete unijeti malo Fića Crew stava u svoj svakodnevni život, bilo da je riječ o nečem velikom ili malom. Ne zaboravite pratiti njihovu sljedeću avanturu - sve relevantne poveznice možete pronaći u nastavku. Ako ste uživali u ovoj epizodi u dva dijela, pretplatite se, lajkajte i podijelite je sa svojom obitelji i prijateljima!

Sva moja ljubav,

Ivana

FICA INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/ficacrew/

FICA CREW YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBzfdPCAccJcCoNfV4vH8Gg

LEJLA'S INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/nutricardak/

IVANA'S INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/ivanastrbacalfonso/

IVANA FB https://www.facebook.com/ivana.strbac.afonso/

Wow, wow! We are truly humbled and excited to have hosted the FIĆA CREW on this week's episode. Amar and Lejla are two extraordinary creatives with an impressive following of almost 27,000 on Instagram. They've organically grown a substantial audience across various social media platforms.

During our conversation, we delved into a wide range of topics, from their journey as entrepreneurs to pursuing their passions, embracing parenthood, and challenging the status quo. Amar's upbringing in Australia and Lejla's in Switzerland brought them together, and now, with their young family, they're enjoying life in Sarajevo.

This episode is all about fun adventures and living the life of your dreams. Amar and Lejla are fantastic representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We discussed their charity work and collaborations with various companies through their Fica page. Their story serves as a testament to the idea that you can explore the world with a minimalistic approach, be present with your family, and connect and collaborate with people you genuinely resonate with.

The inspiration I drew from their page encouraged me to share their story with all of you. If you have any questions for me or the Fica crew, please feel free to reach out through the links below. Enjoy, and hvala (thank you)!

https://www.instagram.com/ficacrew/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9rbqXjLLCo

https://www.youtube.com/@ficacrew7050

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063784537690

Wow, wow! Zaista smo ponizni i uzbuđeni što smo ugostili FIĆA CREW u današnjoj epizodi. Amar i Lejla su dva izvanredna kreativca s impresivnim brojem od gotovo 27.000 pratitelja na Instagramu. Postigli su značajnu prisutnost na različitim društvenim mrežama prirodno rastući.

Tijekom našeg razgovora, zaronili smo u različite teme, od njihovog puta kao poduzetnika do ostvarivanja svojih strasti, prihvaćanja roditeljstva i izazivanja statusa quo. Amar je odrastao u Australiji, a Lejla u Švicarskoj, a sada, sa svojom mladom obitelji, uživaju u životu u Sarajevu.

Ova epizoda posvećena je zabavnim avanturama i ostvarivanju snova. Amar i Lejla su izvrsni predstavnici Bosne i Hercegovine. Razgovarali smo o njihovom dobrotvornom radu i suradnjama s različitim tvrtkama putem njihove Fica stranice. Njihova priča služi kao potvrda ideje da možete istraživati svijet minimalističkim pristupom, biti prisutni sa svojom obitelji i povezivati se i surađivati s ljudima s kojima se zaista usklađujete.

Inspiracija koju sam crpila iz njihove stranice potaknula me da podijelim njihovu priču s vama svima. Ako imate pitanja za mene ili Fica ekipu, slobodno se obratite putem donjih veza. Uživajte, i hvala vam!

Hello, beautiful souls,

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Balkan Sis began as two best friends creating a safe haven for women from the Balkans and beyond. With the challenges of time differences and guests scattered worldwide, we've embarked on a fresh, solo adventure.

This podcast is a quest to stay connected to our culture, heritage, and the diaspora. Each episode is a learning experience, offering insights into our guests, ourselves, and the world we inhabit. Our intention is simple: to make you feel less alone, more loved, and deeply connected to your roots.

Balkan Sis is a blend of old and new, a fusion of culture, self-improvement, and community. We invite you to reach out, share your thoughts, or even join us as a guest. Let's grow and thrive together, my Balkan sisters.

Stay tuned, and stay connected. Hvala <3 Ivana

Reach out now:

https://linktr.ee/ivanaalfonso

[email protected]

Join the community https://www.facebook.com/groups/441617791398759tuned