Brilliant Balance

What happens when you step away from your career to make room for family life? In this episode, I'm joined by Neha Ruch, author of The Power Pause, to explore how a career pause can become an opportunity for growth, self-discovery, and a new sense of purpose.

We're talking about how to navigate identity shifts, redefine success, and make intentional choices about work and family without feeling like you have to give up your ambition. Discover how to approach a career pause with agency, maintain your sense of self, and create space for what matters most in this season of life.

Whether you're considering a career break, already navigating one, or rethinking what comes next, this conversation will help you see that your next choice doesn't have to be your forever choice.

Show Highlights:

• Neha's career journey and the inspiration behind The Power Pause. [01:15]

• Challenging the outdated stereotypes of stay-at-home motherhood. [05:30]

• How to use a career pause for personal growth and exploration. [10:00]

• Redefining success and navigating financial independence within a family. [16:00]

• The difference between a pause and a power pause. [20:00]

• How to reclaim your identity and find the right language for your current season. [23:00]

• Why women face different expectations and pressures in at-home parenthood. [28:00]

• Rethinking career breaks, pivots, and returning to the workforce. [33:00]

• How changing the conversation creates more options for women. [39:00]

Resources Mentioned

Order The Power Pause book: https://link.amazon/B08AVZBeP

Follow Neha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neha_ruch/

Connect with Neha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehaleelaruch/

Subscribe to Neha's Substack: https://substack.com/@neharuch

Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Boundaries don't make you selfish or unkind. They help you make intentional choices about where you give your time, energy, and attention.

In this episode, I'm talking about why saying yes to someone always means saying no to something else. We explore people-pleasing, the pressure to be agreeable, and why it can be so difficult to recognize what we actually want.

You'll learn how to start strengthening your boundary muscle, reconnect with your own preferences, and create more space for the things that genuinely matter to you.

• Why boundaries aren't about being selfish. [01:00]

• How generosity can become an automatic yes. [03:00]

• What the fawn response has to do with people-pleasing. [05:30]

• Why women are often conditioned to prioritize others. [07:30]

• Why neutrality matters when we say what we want. [09:30]

• The idea that every yes has a no. [11:30]

• Why only you can balance the equation. [13:30]

• Why saying no can be harder when you have nothing else planned. [16:30]

• Two ways to rebuild your ability to choose. [19:30]

• How radical clarity can help you identify what you really want. [21:30]

• Why boundaries and generosity can coexist. [24:00]

Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle

To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: https://brilliant-balance.com/explorecoaching

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Building a business and raising a family can feel like two competing priorities. But what if the business you build could actually support the life you want?

In this episode, I'm joined by Beth Mazza, co-founder of Female Mavericks and a serial entrepreneur who built and sold two consulting firms while raising four children. Beth shares the lessons she and her business partner, Victoria, learned about choosing the right business model, protecting personal non-negotiables, and building a company that can grow without depending entirely on you.

We also talk about delegation, building a strong support network, setting a clear north star, and why women need practical business strategies, not just encouragement.

Show Highlights:

• Beth's entrepreneurial childhood. [02:00]

• Why she left corporate life. [06:00]

• The lesson she learned from selling her first business. [10:00]

• Building a business around personal non-negotiables. [16:00]

• Choosing the right business model. [18:00]

• Why exit strategy matters from the start. [21:00]

• The power of delegation. [24:00]

• Why practical experience matters. [29:00]

• Balancing business and motherhood. [33:00]

• The mission behind Entrepreneur Like a Mother. [38:00]

Resources Mentioned:

Learn more about the Female Mavericks: http://www.femalemavericks.com/

Connect with Beth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethmazza/

Follow the Female Mavericks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femalemavericks/

Purchase Entrepreneur Like a Mother, at a discounted price using code Maverick25: https://femalemavericks.com/entrepreneur-like-a-mother/

BOLD 2027 is coming. Visit https://brilliant-balance.com/bold to be the first to know.

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

When life gets busy, thinking time is often the first thing to disappear. But without space to step back, we can easily end up moving through life without checking whether we're actually headed in the right direction.

In this episode, I'm talking about the power of taking an entire day to think, plan, and solve problems with intention. I share how this practice became part of my own life, how it evolved into strategy days with clients, and why dedicated time and a thought partner can help you find clarity, perspective, and momentum.

If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next, this episode will help you see the value of creating space to think before you act.

• Why thinking time matters. [02:00]

• The inspiration behind thinking days. [04:00]

• How a thought partner can change the process. [07:00]

• What happens during a strategy day. [14:00]

• How to get to the root of a problem. [17:00]

• Turning clarity into a plan. [19:00]

• Why sequencing matters. [23:00]

• The value of an outside perspective. [25:00]

Private Consulting Day with Cherylanne in Cincinnati, OH: https://members.brilliantbalance.net/private-consulting-day-cincinnati

Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Nearly 40% of American mothers are now primary earners, but the culture hasn't fully caught up with what that actually requires.

In this episode, I'm joined by Alexis Contos, founder of The Breadwinners, a community built around the realities of building a career while raising a family. Alexis shares why she walked away from a 20-year corporate career, how one dinner at South by Southwest turned into a growing movement, and what she's learning about creating a different path for working mothers.

We also talk about guilt, ambition, integration, personal agency, and why we need to stop trying to do everything perfectly.

Show Highlights:

• What Alexis was like growing up and how relationships shaped her. [02:30]

• Why Alexis left her 20-year corporate career without knowing what she'd do next. [07:10]

• How one dinner at South by Southwest became the beginning of The Breadwinners. [10:05]

• Why women showed up to the dinner and why they needed that community. [13:05]

• Why Alexis prefers "integration" over "balance." [19:00]

• How Alexis defines a breadwinner as someone who brings important things into the home. [25:00]

• Why ambition is about aligning your time with your values. [27:15]

• How to replace guilt with confidence, agency, and community. [28:30]

• How Alexis structures her day to make space for both work and family. [34:00]

• Why aspiring breadwinners are joining the community and helping write a new playbook for working mothers. [38:00]

Resources Mentioned:

Find Alexis on Substack (and get a discounted subscription) at: https://wearethebreadwinners.substack.com/738ea8e9

Find Alexis on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/wearethebreadwinners/

Learn more about The Breadwinners: https://thebreadwinners.co

To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: http://brilliant-balance.com/explorecoaching

Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle

Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Have you ever looked at your calendar and realized you've created a week that works for everyone else, but leaves very little space for you? In this episode, I'm exploring how we end up in this pattern and what it takes to create a week that supports the life we actually want.

I'm talking about why "life is full" is a more empowering way to think about busy seasons, and why waiting until everything else is done before making time for yourself often means that time never comes.

Together, we'll explore how to rethink your priorities, protect what matters most, and create more room for the things that help you feel like yourself.

Show Highlights:

● Why full and busy are not the same thing. [04:42] ● How we accidentally create weeks that leave us out. [08:10] ● Why the "work first, play later" mindset stops working. [12:32] ● The hidden costs of constantly putting yourself last. [19:40] ● How losing touch with yourself happens over time. [24:58] ● The power of "crowding out" what doesn't serve you. [29:44] ● How to put the most important things into your week first. [33:22] ● Creating a week that works for you, too. [42:10]

Join The Coaching Circle to attend the September masterclass, Run Your Week Your Way, and learn the complete system for designing a week that reflects your priorities.

Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle

To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: https://brilliant-balance.com/explorecoaching

Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

We all have good intentions. The challenge is turning those intentions into action.

In this episode, I'm revisiting one of the very first episodes of the Brilliant Balance podcast because the message is just as relevant today as it was then. As I navigate a busy season of travel, family transitions, and sending another child off to college, I'm putting this principle into practice myself.

If you've ever wondered where the time went or why the things that matter most keep getting pushed aside, this episode will show you a simple shift that can help your calendar reflect your priorities.

Show Highlights:

• Why I'm bringing back one of the earliest episodes of the podcast. [00:00]

• The simple principle that has guided my planning for years. [02:00]

• Why it's not enough to know what you want to do. [08:00]

• How to use your calendar to protect what matters most. [11:30]

• The difference between a to-do list and a real plan. [20:00]

• Why scheduling your tasks reduces procrastination and increases follow-through. [29:30]

• The biggest mistake people make when they become more productive. [39:30]

• How to align your calendar with your values and priorities. [34:00]

Resources Mentioned:

Join The Coaching Circle to attend the September masterclass, Run Your Week Your Way, and learn the complete system for designing a week that reflects your priorities.

Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle

To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: http://brilliant-balance.com/explorecoaching

Subscribe to the Brilliant Balance Weekly: www.brilliant-balance.com/weekly

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

Change is hard. But it isn't because people resist it.

In this episode, I'm joined by Kristy Ellmer, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group and co-author of How Change Really Works. We explore why so many personal and organizational changes fail, what behavioral science teaches us about making change stick, and the simple shifts that can help us move forward with more confidence.

Whether you're leading a team, navigating a career transition, or trying to create new habits at home, this conversation will change the way you think about transformation.

Show Highlights:

• How Kristy's early career shaped her approach to uncertainty and change. [04:15]

• Why most transformations fail and what "change distance" really means. [10:20]

• The surprising role agency plays in helping people embrace change. [15:10]

• Why rituals matter more than willpower when creating lasting change. [23:30]

• The biggest misconception about how people respond to change. [34:15]

• How curiosity creates an opportunity for change to succeed. [36:45]

• What the IKEA Effect teaches us about getting people to buy into change. [42:30]

• Why a "fresh start" can be the key to rebuilding momentum. [1:05:10]

• How understanding your emotions can reduce cognitive load during periods of change. [1:16:40]

Resources Mentioned:

How Change Really Works by Kristy Ellmer, Julia Darr, and Philip Jamieson: https://amzn.to/3S1UZuO

Connect with Kristy Ellmer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-r-ellmer-b25b7a23/

Follow Kristy Ellmer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristy_ellmer/

To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: https://brilliant-balance.com/explorecoaching

Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle

Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

What does it take to build an ambitious career without losing sight of what matters most?

In this episode, I'm joined by Betsy Hamm, former CEO of Duck Donuts and founder of Loud & Lifted. Betsy shares the unexpected career moves that took her from marketing iconic brands to leading a company through rapid growth, private equity, and international expansion. Along the way, she opens up about the invisible rules she had to rewrite, both at work and at home.

If you're navigating a season of growth, leadership, or reinvention, this conversation offers a refreshing reminder that success doesn't have to come at the expense of your values.

Show Highlights:

• How Betsy's career evolved from Hershey to Duck Donuts. [08:30]

• What it was like to help grow Duck Donuts from 20 to 200 locations. [26:10]

• Why she stepped into the CEO role during one of the most challenging seasons. [45:15]

• The pressure of leading through private equity, rapid growth, and COVID. [49:30]

• The invisible rules she had to let go of at home and at work. [1:00:20]

• Why delegating at home was harder than delegating at work. [1:02:15]

• What she learned about building the right leadership team. [1:10:30]

• How leaving the CEO role led to an unexpected new chapter. [1:20:45]

• The mission behind Loud & Lifted and creating spaces where women support women. [1:28:20]

• The legacy Betsy hopes to leave for her daughters. [1:40:15]

Resources Mentioned:

Learn more about Betsy Hamm: https://betsyhamm.com

Listen to the Loud & Lifted Podcast: https://loudandliftedpodcast.com

Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsyhamm/

To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: http://brilliant-balance.com/explore

Join The Coaching Circle to apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle

Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox: https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki

How many decisions do you make based on what you think other people will think?

In this episode, I'm unpacking the quiet fear of judgment that shapes so many of our choices. Whether it's speaking up in a meeting, showing up at a reunion, making a career change, or simply deciding what to wear, we often act as though everyone is watching our every move. The truth is, they're usually much more focused on themselves.

We'll explore why this happens, what it costs us, and how to stop performing for an audience that mostly exists in our own minds.

Show Highlights:

• The surprising lesson I learned from a summer full of high-stakes moments. [05:20]

• Why we overestimate how much other people notice us. [15:10]

• The psychology behind the "spotlight effect." [21:40]

• The hidden cost of performing for an imaginary audience. [31:15]

• Why fear of judgment keeps us from pursuing what we really want. [40:20]

• What to do when people really are judging you. [50:45]

• A simple mindset shift that can change the way you make decisions. [59:10]

• How to stop asking, "What will people think?" and start asking a better question. [1:05:30]

• Building the emotional resilience to move forward anyway. [1:11:20]

Join The Coaching Circle to attend the August masterclass on Emotional Resilience and apply what you learn on the podcast with structure & support: https://brilliant-balance.com/coachingcircle

To book an exploratory call and learn about coaching options: http://brilliant-balance.com/explore

Subscribe for weekly content from Cherylanne straight to your inbox:

https://brilliantbalance.substack.com/

Follow Cherylanne on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cskolnicki